Methods for treating seeds with an aqueous composition and seeds treated therewith

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are methods for treating seeds with a seed treatment composition that includes: (A) an aqueous polyurethane dispersion; and (B) an insecticide, a fungicide, a nematicide, and/or other pesticides. Also disclosed are seeds treated with such a treatment compositions and methods for treating a seed using such treatment composition.

FIELD

The present invention relates to methods for treating seeds with anaqueous composition that includes a polyurethane dispersion and seedstreated therewith.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Vacuum planters are often used to plant any of a variety of seeds,including seeds with odd shapes, such as corn seeds, pumpkin seeds,soybean seeds, among others. These planters have vertical plates withholes that are smaller than the seeds being planted. The planter draws avacuum on the side of the plate opposite the container in which theseeds are stored. When the plate rotates through the storage container,atmospheric pressure holds seeds against the holes and allows therotating plate to pick up seeds. As the plate rotates around past theseed tube, the vacuum is broken, allowing the seeds to drop down a seedtube.

There are several important features associated with the use of, inparticular, vacuum plants, in the planting of seeds. First, vacuumplanters have a tendency to release a certain amount of seed dust duringplanting. This dust may include active ingredients, such asinsecticides, nematicides, fungicides, and other pesticides that havebeen combined with the seed. The loss of such active ingredients duringplanting is undesirable. Second, is seed singulation. Seed singulationrefers to the ability of a planter to take one seed at a time off thevertical plate and drop it down the seed tube. Maximizing seedsingulation is also important. Skipped seed drops can create a losswithin the planting row, while doubles increase population and cause theplants to struggle for nutrients and sunlight. Historically, smalldifferences in seed type can affect singulation percentage. Third, it isimportant that the seed have a good ability to flow from the seed hopperto the seed meter reservoir. Good seed flow characteristics allow forlonger operating time per hopper fill and reduces mechanical wear onplanter parts, thus extending the operating life of the planter.

To address these issues, a polymer binder and/or lubricant is oftenincluded with the active ingredients in the treatment of seeds to bindthe active ingredient to the seed. Seeds treated in such a manner canhave reduced dust and increased percent singulation and flow duringplanting, particularly vacuum planting, relative to when a polymerbinder is not used. Historically, this polymer binder has been apolyolefin, such as a carboxylated styrene/butadiene dispersion.

A drawback to the use such polyolefin binders, however, is that they arenot biodegradable and, as a result, can accumulate in the soil. As aresult, it would be desirable to provide an alternative to such seedtreatments that perform in a comparable manner and which are at leastpartially disintegrable by moisture in the soil.

SUMMARY

In some respects, the present invention is directed to methods fortreating a seed, comprising applying to the seed a seed treatmentcomposition that comprises: (A) an aqueous polyester-polyurethanedispersion; and (B) an insecticide, a fungicide, a nematicide, and/orother pesticides. In these compositions, the aqueous polyurethanedispersion forms a film exhibiting: (a) a microhardness of 4 to 34N/mm²; (b) a T_(g) of −79° C. to −4° C., (c) a percent elongation of 44to 300, and (d) a tensile strength of 2500 lb/in² (17.2 megapascal(MPa)) to 5600 lb/in² (38.6 MPa). Moreover, in these methods, the seedcomprises corn seed, sorghum seed, oat seed, rye seed, barley seed,soybean seed, vegetable seed, wheat seed, sugarbeat seed, rice,sunflower seed, lettuce seed, and/or spinach seed.

The present invention is also directed to, among other things, seeds,such as, but not limited to, corn seeds, treated by such a method.

It is understood that the invention disclosed and described in thisspecification is not limited to the embodiments summarized in thisSummary. The reader will appreciate the foregoing details, as well asothers, upon considering the following detailed description of variousnon-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments according to thisspecification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are described and illustrated herein to provide anoverall understanding of the structure, function, operation,manufacture, and use of the disclosed products and processes. Thevarious embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limitingand non-exhaustive. Thus, the invention is not limited by thedescription of the various non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodimentsdisclosed herein. Rather, the invention is defined solely by the claims.The features and characteristics illustrated and/or described inconnection with various embodiments may be combined with the featuresand characteristics of other embodiments. Such modifications andvariations are intended to be included within the scope of thisspecification. As such, the claims may be amended to recite any featuresor characteristics expressly or inherently described in, or otherwiseexpressly or inherently supported by, this specification. Further,Applicant reserves the right to amend the claims to affirmativelydisclaim features or characteristics that may be present in the priorart. Therefore, any such amendments comply with the requirements of 35U.S.C. §112 and 35 U.S.C. §132(a). The various embodiments disclosed anddescribed in this specification can comprise, consist of, or consistessentially of the features and characteristics as variously describedherein.

Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material identified hereinis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless otherwiseindicated, but only to the extent that the incorporated material doesnot conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosurematerial expressly set forth in this specification. As such, and to theextent necessary, the express disclosure as set forth in thisspecification supersedes any conflicting material incorporated byreference herein. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to beincorporated by reference into this specification, but which conflictswith existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material setforth herein, is only incorporated to the extent that no conflict arisesbetween that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.Applicant reserves the right to amend this specification to expresslyrecite any subject matter, or portion thereof, incorporated by referenceherein.

Reference herein to “certain embodiments”, “some embodiments”, “variousnon-limiting embodiments,” or the like, means that a particular featureor characteristic may be included in an embodiment. Thus, use of suchphrases, and similar phrases, herein does not necessarily refer to acommon embodiment, and may refer to different embodiments. Further, theparticular features or characteristics may be combined in any suitablemanner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features orcharacteristics illustrated or described in connection with variousembodiments may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features orcharacteristics of one or more other embodiments. Such modifications andvariations are intended to be included within the scope of the presentspecification. In this manner, the various embodiments described in thisspecification are non-limiting and non-exhaustive.

In this specification, unless otherwise indicated, all numericalparameters are to be understood as being prefaced and modified in allinstances by the term “about”, in which the numerical parameters possessthe inherent variability characteristic of the underlying measurementtechniques used to determine the numerical value of the parameter. Atthe very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of thedoctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numericalparameter described herein should at least be construed in light of thenumber of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary roundingtechniques.

Also, any numerical range recited herein includes all sub-rangessubsumed within the recited range. For example, a range of “1 to 10”includes all sub-ranges between (and including) the recited minimumvalue of 1 and the recited maximum value of 10, that is, having aminimum value equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value equal to orless than 10. Any maximum numerical limitation recited in thisspecification is intended to include all lower numerical limitationssubsumed therein and any minimum numerical limitation recited in thisspecification is intended to include all higher numerical limitationssubsumed therein. Accordingly, Applicant reserves the right to amendthis specification, including the claims, to expressly recite anysub-range subsumed within the ranges expressly recited. All such rangesare inherently described in this specification such that amending toexpressly recite any such sub-ranges would comply with the requirementsof 35 U.S.C. §112 and 35 U.S.C. §132(a).

The grammatical articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used herein, areintended to include “at least one” or “one or more”, unless otherwiseindicated, even if “at least one” or “one or more” is expressly used incertain instances. Thus, the articles are used herein to refer to one ormore than one (i.e., to “at least one”) of the grammatical objects ofthe article. Further, the use of a singular noun includes the plural,and the use of a plural noun includes the singular, unless the contextof the usage requires otherwise.

As used herein, “polymer” encompasses prepolymers, oligomers and bothhomopolymers and copolymers; the prefix “poly” in this context referringto two or more. As used herein, “molecular weight”, when used inreference to a polymer, refers to the number average molecular weight(“M_(e)”), unless otherwise specified. As used herein, the M_(e) of apolymer containing functional groups, such as a polyol, can becalculated from the functional group number, such as hydroxyl number,which is determined by end-group analysis. As used herein, the term“binder” refers to a polymer, such as carboxylated styrene/butadiene,which is dispersed in water.

As used herein, the term “aliphatic” refers to organic compoundscharacterized by substituted or un-substituted straight, branched,and/or cyclic chain arrangements of constituent carbon atoms. Aliphaticcompounds do not contain aromatic rings as part of the molecularstructure thereof. As used herein, the term “cycloaliphatic” refers toorganic compounds characterized by arrangement of carbon atoms in closedring structures. Cycloaliphatic compounds do not contain aromatic ringsas part of the molecular structure thereof. Therefore, cycloaliphaticcompounds are a subset of aliphatic compounds. Therefore, the term“aliphatic” encompasses aliphatic compounds and/or cycloaliphaticcompounds.

As used herein, “diisocyanate” refers to a compound containing twoisocyanate groups. As used herein, “polyisocyanate” refers to a compoundcontaining two or more isocyanate groups. Hence, diisocyanates are asubset of polyisocyanates.

As previously indicated, certain embodiments of the present inventionare directed to methods of treating seeds with a seed treatmentcomposition. As used herein, the term “seed treatment composition”refers to a mixture of chemical components that will provideinsecticidal, fungicidal, nematicidal, and/or other pesticidalproperties when applied to the surface of a seed.

As indicated, the seed treatment compositions described herein comprisean aqueous polyester-polyurethane dispersion. As used herein, the term“aqueous polyester-polyurethane dispersion” means a dispersion ofpolyester-polyurethane particles in a continuous phase comprising water.As used herein, the term “polyurethane” refers to any polymer oroligomer comprising urethane (i.e., carbamate) groups, urea groups, orboth. Thus, the term “polyurethane” as used herein refers collectivelyto polyurethanes, polyureas, and polymers containing both urethane andurea groups, unless otherwise indicated. As used herein, “polyester”refers to any polymer or oligomer comprising ester groups. As usedherein, “polyester-polyurethane” refers to any polymer or oligomercomprising polyester and polyurethane.

The aqueous polyester-polyurethane dispersion used in the compositionsof the present invention is selected so as to form a film exhibiting:(a) a microhardness of 4 to 34 N/mm², such as 4 to 25 N/mm²; (b) a T_(g)of −79° C. to −4° C., such as −50° C. to −25° C., (c) a percentelongation of 44 to 300, such as 100 to 300, and (d) a tensile strengthof 2500 lb/in² (17.2 megapascal (MPa)) to 5600 lb/in² (38.6 MPa), suchas 2500 lb/in² (17.2 MPa) to 5100 lb/in² (35.2 MPa). Microhardness,T_(g), percent elongation, and tensile strength of a film formed from anaqueous polyurethane dispersion, for purposes of the present invention,are determined according to the methods that are described in theExamples below. It will be understood that the foregoing film propertiesrefer to the film properties of a film formed from the aqueouspolyurethane dispersion itself, which is thereafter used as a componentin a seed treatment composition of the present invention, rather thanthe properties of a seed treatment composition itself.

It has been surprisingly discovered that when an aqueous polyurethanedispersion (or mixture of two or more aqueous polyurethane dispersions)that forms a film exhibiting such properties is used in a method of thetype described herein, the dust emissions, the percent singulation andflow characteristics may be comparable when an identical treatmentcomposition is used in an identical method in which a polyolefin latex,such as a carboxylated styrene/butadiene polymer, is used as thepolymeric component of the composition rather than the aqueouspolyurethane dispersion, determined when comparing the same type ofseed. The added advantage of the present invention is that the aqueouspolyurethane dispersions used in the seed treatment composition of themethods of present invention can be biodegradable because it contains asignificant polyester component that is degradable through hydrolysisand by lipases present in soil.

In certain embodiments, the aqueous polyurethane dispersion that is usedin the seed treatment compositions disclosed herein comprises one ormore polyurethanes that are the reaction product of reactantscomprising, consisting essentially of, or, in some cases, consisting of:(i) a polyisocyanate; (ii) a polyester polyol having a number averagemolecular weight (“M_(n)”) of 400 to 8,000 g/mol; (iii) a compoundcomprising at least one isocyanate-reactive group and an anionic groupor potentially anionic group; (iv) optionally a mono functionalpolyalkylene ether; (v) optionally a polyol having a molecular weight ofless than <400 g/mol, and (vi) optionally a polyamine or amino alcoholhaving a molecular weight of from 32 to 400 g/mol; provided that thereactants and their respective amounts are selected so that a filmformed from the polyurethane or mixture of polyurethanes exhibits: (a) amicrohardness of 4 to 34 N/mm², such as 4 to 25 N/mm²; (b) a T_(g) of−79° C. to −4° C., such as −50° C. to −25° C., (c) a % elongation of 44to 300, such as 100 to 300, and (d) a tensile strength of 2500 lb/in²(17.2 MPa) to 5600 lb/in² (38.6 MPa), such as 2500 lb/in² (17.2 MPa) to5100 lb/in² (35.2 MPa).

Suitable polyisocyanates (i) include aromatic, araliphatic, aliphaticand cycloaliphatic polyisocyanates, such as, for example, 1,4-butylenediisocyanate, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), pentamethylenediisocyanate (PDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), 2,2,4- and/or2,4,4-trimethyl-hexamethylene diisocyanate, the isomericbis-(4,4′-isocyanato-cyclohexyl)methanes or mixtures thereof of anydesired isomer content, 1,4-cyclohexylene diisocyanate, 1,4-phenylenediisocyanate, 2,4- and/or 2,6-toluene diisocyanate or hydrogenated 2,4-and/or 2,6-toluene diisocyanate, 1,5-naphthalene diisocyanate, 2,4′-and/or 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 1,3- and1,4-bis-(2-isocyanato-prop-2-yl)-benzene (TMXDI),1,3-bis(isocyanato-methyl)benzene (XDI), (S)-alkyl2,6-diisocyanato-hexanoates or (L)-alkyl 2,6-diisocyanatohexanoates.

Polyisocyanates having a functionality >2 can also be used if desired.Such polyisocyanates include modified diisocyanates having a uretdione,isocyanurate, urethane, allophanate, biuret, iminooxadiazinedione and/oroxadiazinetrione structure, as well as unmodified polyisocyanates havingmore than 2 NCO groups per molecule, for example4-isocyanatomethyl-1,8-octane diisocyanate (nonane triisocyanate) ortriphenylmethane-4,4′,4″-triisocyanate.

In some embodiments of the present invention, polyisocyanates orpolyisocyanate mixtures containing only aliphatically and/orcycloaliphatically bonded isocyanate groups are used that have a meanfunctionality of from 2 to 4, such as 2 to 2.6 or 2 to 2.4.

In certain embodiments, component (i) is used in an amount of at least5% by weight, such as at least 10 or at least 20% by weight and/or nomore than 60% by weight, such as no more than 50 or, in some cases, nomore than 45% by weight, based on the total weight of reactants used tomake the polyurethane.

Polyester polyols (ii) have a molecular weight M_(n) of from 400 to 8000g/mol, such as 400 to 6000 g/mol or, in some cases, 500 to 3000 g/mol,1000 to 3000 g/mol or 1500 to 3000 g/mol. In certain embodiments, thesepolymeric polyols have a hydroxyl number of from 20 to 400 mg KOH/g ofsubstance, such as 20 to 300 mg KOH/g of substance, 20 to 200 mg KOH/gof substance or 20 to 100 mg KOH/g of substance. In certain embodiments,these polymeric polyols have a hydroxyl functionality of 1.5 to 6, suchas 1.8 to 3 or 1.9 to 2.1. As will be appreciated, the M_(n) of apolymer containing functional groups, such as a polyol, can, asdiscussed earlier, be calculated from the functional group number, suchas hydroxyl number, which is determined by end-group analysis. “Hydroxylnumber”, as used herein, is determined according to DIN 53240.

Exemplary polyester polyols are the polycondensation products of di- aswell as optionally tri- and tetra-ols and di- as well as optionally tri-and tetra-carboxylic acids or hydroxycarboxylic acids or lactones.Instead of the free polycarboxylic acids it is also possible to use thecorresponding polycarboxylic acid anhydrides or correspondingpolycarboxylic acid esters of lower alcohols to prepare the polyesters.Examples of suitable diols are ethylene glycol, butylene glycol,diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyalkylene glycols such aspolyethylene glycol, further 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol,1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol and isomers,1,8-octanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,4-bishydroxymethylcyclohexane,2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, dipropyleneglycol, polypropylene glycols, dibutylene glycol, polybutylene glycols,bisphenol A, tetrabromobisphenol A, lactone-modified diols, orhydroxypivalic acid neopentyl glycol ester. In order to achieve afunctionality >2, polyols having a functionality of 3 can optionally beused proportionately, for example trimethylolpropane, glycerol,erythritol, pentaerythritol, trimethylolbenzene or trishydroxyethylisocyanurate.

Suitable dicarboxylic acids are, for example, phthalic acid, isophthalicacid, terephthalic acid, tetrahydrophthalic acid, hexahydrophthalicacid, cyclohexane-dicarboxylic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacicacid, glutaric acid, tetrachlorophthalic acid, maleic acid, fumaricacid, itaconic acid, malonic acid, suberic acid, 2-methylsuccinic acid,3,3-diethylglutaric acid, and/or 2,2-dimethylsuccinic acid. Anhydridesof those acids can likewise be used, where they exist. Thus, for thepurposes of the present invention, anhydrides are included in theexpression “acid”. Monocarboxylic acids, such as benzoic acid andhexanecarboxylic acid, can also be used, provided that the meanfunctionality of the polyol is >2. Saturated aliphatic or aromatic acidscan be used, such as adipic acid or isophthalic acid. Trimellitic acidis a polycarboxylic acid which can also optionally be used.

Hydroxycarboxylic acids which can be used as reactants in thepreparation of a polyester polyol having terminal hydroxyl groups are,for example, hydroxycaproic acid, hydroxybutyric acid, hydroxydecanoicacid, hydroxystearic acid and the like. Suitable lactones are, forexample, s-caprolactone, butyrolactone and their homologues.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, polymer polyol (ii)comprises or, in some cases, consists essentially of or consists of apolyester diol that is a reaction product of butanediol and/or neopentylglycol and/or hexanediol and/or ethylene glycol and/or diethylene glycolwith adipic acid and/or phthalic acid and/or isophthalic acid, such aspolyester polyols that are a reaction product of butanediol and/orneopentyl glycol and/or hexanediol with adipic acid and/or phthalicacid.

Suitable polyester polyols, such as the foregoing polyester diols, oftenhave a hydroxyl functionality of 1.5 to 6.0, such as 1.8 to 3.0, ahydroxyl number of 20 to 700 mg KOH/g solid, such as 20 to 100, 20 to 80or, in some cases 40 to 80 mg KOH/g solid, and/or a M_(n) of 500 to 3000g/mol, such as 600 to 2500 g/mol.

Exemplary polymeric polyols that may also be used in combination withthe polyester polyols described above, if desired, include, for example,polyacrylate polyols, polyurethane polyols, polycarbonate polyols,polyether polyols, polyester polyacrylate polyols, polyurethanepolyacrylate polyols, polyurethane polyester polyols, polyurethanepolyether polyols, polyurethane polycarbonate polyols, polyesterpolycarbonate polyols, phenol/formaldehyde resins, on their own or inmixtures.

Suitable polyether polyols include, for example, the polyadditionproducts of the styrene oxides, of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide,tetrahydrofuran, butylene oxide, epichlorohydrin, as well as theirmixed-addition and graft products, as well as the polyether polyolsobtained by condensation of polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof andthose obtained by alkoxylation of polyhydric alcohols, amines and aminoalcohols.

Suitable polyether polyols often have a hydroxyl functionality of 1.5 to6.0, such as 1.8 to 3.0, a hydroxyl number of 20 to 700 mg KOH/g solid,such as 20 to 100, 20 to 50 or, in some cases 20 to 40 mg KOH/g solid,and/or a M_(n) of 400 to 4000 g/mol, such as 100 to 4000 or 1000 to 3000g/mol.

Exemplary polycarbonate polyols are obtainable by reaction of carbonicacid derivatives, for example diphenyl carbonate, dimethyl carbonate orphosgene, with diols. Suitable diols include the diols mentioned earlierwith respect to the preparation of polyester polyols. In some cases, thediol component contains from 40 to 100 wt. % 1,6-hexanediol and/orhexanediol derivatives, often containing ether or ester groups inaddition to terminal OH groups, for example products which are obtainedby reaction of one mole of hexanediol with at least one mole, preferablyfrom one to two moles, of ε-caprolactone or by etherification ofhexanediol with itself to form di- or tri-hexylene glycol. Polyetherpolycarbonate polyols can also be used.

In certain embodiments, component (ii) is used in an amount of at least20% by weight, such as at least 30 or at least 40% by weight and/or nomore than 80% by weight, such as no more than 70% by weight, based onthe total weight of reactants used to make the polyurethane.

Component (iii) is a compound comprising at least oneisocyanate-reactive group and an anionic group or potentially anionicgroup. Exemplary such compounds are those which contain, for example,carboxylate, sulfonate, phosphonate groups or groups which can beconverted into the above-mentioned groups by salt formation (potentiallyanionic groups), and which can be incorporated into the macromoleculesby isocyanate-reactive groups, such as hydroxyl or amine groups, thatare present.

Suitable anionic or potentially anionic compounds (iii) are, forexample, mono- and di-hydroxycarboxylic acids, mono- anddi-aminocarboxylic acids, mono- and di-hydroxysulfonic acids, mono- anddi-aminosulfonic acids as well as mono- and di-hydroxyphosphonic acidsor mono- and di-aminophosphonic acids and their salts, such asdimethylolpropionic acid, dimethylolbutyric acid, hydroxypivalic acid,N-(2-aminoethyl)-β-alanine, 2-(2-amino-ethylamino)-ethanesulfonic acid,ethylene-diamine-propyl- or -butyl-sulfonic acid, 1,2- or1,3-propylenediamine-3-ethylsulfonic acid, malic acid, citric acid,glycolic acid, lactic acid. In certain embodiments, the anionic orpotentially anionic compounds have carboxy or carboxylate and/orsulfonate groups and have a functionality of from 1.9 to 2.1, such asthe salts of 2-(2-amino-ethylamino)ethanesulfonic acid.

In certain embodiments, component (iii) is used in an amount of at least0.1% by weight, such as at least 1, or at least 3% by weight and/or nomore than 10% by weight, such as no more than 7% by weight, based on thetotal weight of reactants used to make the polyurethane.

Optional component (iv) is a mono functional polyalkylene ether thatcontains at least one, in some cases one, hydroxy or amino group. Insome embodiments, component (iv) comprises a compound of the formula:

H—Y′—X—Y—R

in which R is a monovalent hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 12 carbonatoms, such as an unsubstituted alkyl radical having 1 to 4 carbonatoms; X is a polyalkylene oxide chain having 5 to 90, such as 20 to 70chain members, which may comprise at least 40%, such as at least 65%,ethylene oxide units and which in addition to ethylene oxide units maycomprise propylene oxide, butylene oxide and/or styrene oxide units; andY and Y′ are each independently oxygen or —NR′— in which R′ is H or R,in which R is defined above.

Mono functional polyalkylene ethers suitable for use in component (iv)may, in some cases, contain 7 to 55 ethylene oxide units per molecule,and can be obtained by alkoxylation of suitable starter molecules, suchas, for example, saturated monoalcohols, such as methanol, ethanol,n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, sec-butanol, theisomeric pentanols, hexanols, octanols and nonanols, n-decanol,n-dodecanol, n-tetradecanol, n-hexadecanol, n-octadecanol, cyclohexanol,the isomeric methyl-cyclohexanols or hydroxymethyl-cyclohexane,3-ethyl-3-hydroxymethyloxetan or tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol; diethyleneglycol monoalkyl ethers, such as, for example, diethylene glycolmonobutyl ether; unsaturated alcohols, such as allyl alcohol,1,1-dimethylallyl alcohol or oleic alcohol; aromatic alcohols, such asphenol, the isomeric cresols or methoxyphenols; araliphatic alcohols,such as benzyl alcohol, anis alcohol or cinnamic alcohol; secondarymonoamines, such as dimethylamine, diethylamine, dipropylamine,diisopropylamine, dibutylamine, bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-amine, N-methyl- andN-ethyl-cyclohexylamine or dicyclohexylamine; as well as hetero-cyclicsecondary amines, such as morpholine, pyrrolidine, piperidine or1H-pyrazole, including mixtures of two or more of any of the foregoing.

Alkylene oxides suitable for the alkoxylation reaction include, forexample, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, which can be used in thealkoxylation reaction in any desired sequence or alternatively inadmixture. In some embodiments, component (iv) comprises a copolymer ofethylene oxide with propylene oxide that contains ethylene oxide in anamount of at least 40% by weight, such as at least 50% by weight, atleast 60% by weight or at least 65% by weight and/or up to 90% by weightor up to 80% by weight, based on the total weight of ethylene oxide andpropylene oxide. In certain embodiments, the M_(n) of such a copolymeris 300 g/mol to 6000 g/mol, such as 500 g/mol to 4000 g/mol, such as1000 g/mol to 3000 g/mol.

In certain embodiments, component (iv) is used in an amount of at least1% by weight, such as at least 5, or at least 10% by weight and/or nomore than 30% by weight, such as no more than 20% by weight, based onthe total weight of reactants used to make the polyurethane.

Optional component (v) comprises a polyol having a molecular weight ofless than <400 grams/mole. Examples of such polyols include, withoutlimitation, the diols mentioned earlier with respect to the preparationof polyester polyols. In some cases, the polyol having a molecularweight of less than <400 g/mol has up to 20 carbon atoms, such as is thecase with, for example, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethyleneglycol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,3-butyleneglycol, cyclohexanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,6-hexanediol,neopentyl glycol, hydroquinone dihydroxyethyl ether, bisphenol A(2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane), hydrogenated bisphenol A,(2,2-bis(4-hydroxycyclohexyl)propane), trimethylolpropane, glycerol,pentaerythritol and also any desired mixtures of two or more thereof.Also suitable are ester diols of the specified molecular weight rangesuch as α-hydroxybutyl-ε-hydroxycaproic acid ester,ω-hydroxyhexyl-γ-hydroxybutyric acid ester, β-hydroxyethyl adipate orbis(β-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate.

In certain embodiments, component (v) is used in an amount of at least1% by weight, such as at least 2, or at least 3% by weight and/or nomore than 20% by weight, such as no more than 10 or no more than 5% byweight, based on the total weight of reactants used to make thepolyurethane.

Optional component (vi) is used for chain extension and includes di- orpoly-amines as well as hydrazides, for example ethylenediamine, 1,2- and1,3-diaminopropane, 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,6-diaminohexane,isophoronediamine, isomer mixture of 2,2,4- and2,4,4-trimethyl-hexamethylenediamine, 2-methyl-pentamethylenediamine,diethylenetriamine, 1,3- and 1,4-xylylenediamine,α,α,α′,α′-tetramethyl-1,3- and -1,4-xylylenediamine and4,4-diaminodicyclo-hexylmethane, dimethylethylenediamine, hydrazine oradipic acid dihydrazide. Also suitable for use are compounds whichcontain active hydrogen of different reactivity towards NCO groups, suchas compounds which contain, in addition to a primary amino group, alsosecondary amino groups or, in addition to an amino group (primary orsecondary), also OH groups. Examples thereof are primary/secondaryamines, such as 3-amino-1-methyl-aminopropane,3-amino-1-ethylaminopropane, 3-amino-1-cyclohexylaminopropane,3-amino-1-methyl-aminobutane, also alkanolamines such asN-aminoethylethanol-amine, ethanol-amine, 3-aminopropanol orneopentanolamine.

In certain embodiments, component (vi) is used in an amount of at least1% by weight, such as at least 3 or at least 5% by weight and/or no morethan 10% by weight, such as no more than 8 or, in some cases, no morethan 7% by weight, based on the total weight of reactants used to makethe polyurethane.

In some embodiments, the sum of components (i)-(vi) is 100 percent byweight, based on the total weight of the reactants used to make thepolyurethane.

Any of a variety of processes can be used to prepare the aqueouspolyurethane dispersions used in embodiments of the present invention,such as the prepolymer mixing method, acetone method or melt dispersingmethod, each of which will be understood by a person skilled in the artof making aqueous polyurethane dispersions. For example, in someembodiments, one or more aqueous polyurethane dispersion included in thecompositions of the present invention may be produced by the acetonemethod, such as is described, for example, in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2007/0167565 A1 at [0057]-[0073], the cited portion ofwhich being incorporated herein by reference.

In certain embodiments, the resin solids content of the aqueouspolyurethane dispersions prepared by any of these methods is at least20% by weight, such as at least 25 or at least 30% by weight and/or nomore than 65% by weight, such as no more than 50 or no more than 45% byweight, based on the total weight of the dispersion.

As indicated above, in the seed treatment compositions used in themethods of the present invention comprise an aqueous polyurethanedispersion that forms a film that exhibits: exhibiting: (a) amicrohardness of 4 to 34 N/mm², such as 4 to 25 N/mm²; (b) a T_(g) of−79° C. to −4° C., such as −50° C. to −25° C., (c) a percent elongationof 44 to 300, such as 100 to 300, and (d) a tensile strength of 2500lb/in² (17.2 MPa) to 5600 lb/in² (38.6 MPa), such as 2500 lb/in² (17.2MPa) to 5100 lb/in² (35.2 MPa).

Aqueous polyurethane dispersions that are suitable for use herein arecommercially available and include, for example, (A) IMPRANIL DL 2611(Covestro LLC), which is an anionic aliphatic polyester-polyurethanedispersion and is a reaction product of components (i), (ii), (iii),(v), and (vi) described above and/or (B) BAYHYDROL UH XP 2719 (CovestroLLC) which is an aliphatic, polyester-based, anionic polyurethanedispersion and is different from IMPRANIL DL 2611. In certainembodiments, such an aqueous polyurethane dispersion is used incombination with a different aqueous polyurethane dispersion, such as,for example, (C) BAYBOND PU 330 (Covestro LLC), which is ananionic/non-ionic polyester polyurethane dispersed in water and is areaction product of components (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) describedabove. In certain embodiments using a blend of dispersions such as thosedescribed above, the weight ratio of the aqueous polyurethanedispersions in the seed treatment compositions of the present inventionis (A+B)/(C) is greater than 1:1, such as greater than 2:1, at least3:1, or at least 4:1.

In certain embodiments, the aqueous polyurethane dispersion is presentin the seed treatment composition in an amount such that the totalamount of polyurethane that is present in the seed treatment compositionin some embodiments as an amount of 1% to 25%, in some embodiments from2% to 20%, in some embodiments from 3% to 15%, in some embodiments from4% to 10%, in some embodiments at least 3%, in some embodiments at least5%, in some embodiments no more than 25%, in some embodiments no morethan 20%, in some embodiments no more than 15% and in some embodimentsno more than 10%.

The seed treatment compositions used in the methods of the presentinvention may further include any of a variety of coating additives suchas defoamers, devolatilizers, thickeners, flow control additives,colorants (including pigments and dyes), surfactants, dispersants,neutralizers, biological materials (such as inoculants), nutrients,micronutrients, or surface additives.

As indicated earlier, the seed treatment compositions of the presentinvention comprise an insecticide, a fungicide, a nematicide, and/orother pesticides. In various embodiments, the seed treatment compositioncomprises an insecticide. The present invention is not limited to aparticular insecticide. Suitable insecticides include, but are notlimited to:

(1) Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, such as, for example,carbamates, for example alanycarb, aldicarb, bendiocarb, benfuracarb,butocarboxim, butoxycarboxim, carbaryl, carbofuran, carbosulfan,ethiofencarb, fenobucarb, formetanate, furathiocarb, isoprocarb,methiocarb, methomyl, metolcarb, oxamyl, pirimicarb, propoxur,thiodicarb, thiofanox, triazamate, trimethacarb, XMC and xylylcarb; ororganophosphates, for example acephate, azamethiphos, azinphos-ethyl,azinphos-methyl, cadusafos, chlorethoxyfos, chlorfenvinphos,chlormephos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, coumaphos, cyanophos,demeton-S-methyl, diazinon, dichlorvos/DDVP, dicrotophos, dimethoate,dimethylvinphos, disulfoton, EPN, ethion, ethoprophos, famphur,fenamiphos, fenitrothion, fenthion, fosthiazate, heptenophos, imicyafos,isofenphos, isopropyl O-(methoxyaminothiophosphoryl) salicylate,isoxathion, malathion, mecarbam, methamidophos, methidathion, mevinphos,monocrotophos, naled, omethoate, oxydemeton-methyl, parathion-methyl,phenthoate, phorate, phosalone, phosmet, phosphamidon, phoxim,pirimiphos-methyl, profenofos, propetamphos, prothiofos, pyraclofos,pyridaphenthion, quinalphos, sulfotep, tebupirimfos, temephos, terbufos,tetrachlorvinphos, thiometon, triazophos, triclorfon and vamidothion.

(2) GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists, such as, for example,cyclodiene-organochlorines, for example chlordane and endosulfan orphenylpyrazoles (fiproles), for example ethiprole and fipronil.

(3) Sodium channel modulators/voltage-gated sodium channel blockers suchas, for example, pyrethroids, e.g. acrinathrin, allethrin, d-cis-transallethrin, d-trans allethrin, bifenthrin, bioallethrin, bioallethrins-cyclopentenyl isomer, bioresmethrin, cycloprothrin, cyfluthrin,beta-cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, gamma-cyhalothrin,cypermethrin, alpha-cypermethrin, beta-cypermethrin, theta-cypermethrin,zeta-cypermethrin, cyphenothrin [(1R)-trans-isomer], deltamethrin,empenthrin [(EZ)-(1R)-isomer], esfenvalerate, etofenprox, fenpropathrin,fenvalerate, flucythrinate, flumethrin, tau-fluvalinate, halfenprox,imiprothrin, kadethrin, permethrin, phenothrin [(1R)-trans-isomer],prallethrin, pyrethrins (pyrethrum), resmethrin, silafluofen,tefluthrin, tetramethrin, tetramethrin [(1R)-isomer)], tralomethrin andtransfluthrin or DDT or methoxychlor.

(4) Nicotinergic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists, such as, forexample, neonicotinoids, e.g. acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran,imidacloprid, nitenpyram, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam or nicotine orsulfoxaflor.

(5) Allosteric activators of the nicotinergic acetylcholine receptor(nAChR) such as, for example, spinosyns, e.g. spinetoram and spinosad.

(6) Chloride channel activators, such as, for example,avermectins/milbemycins, for example abamectin, emamectin benzoate,lepimectin and milbemectin.

(7) Juvenile hormone imitators such as, for example, juvenile hormoneanalogues, e.g. hydroprene, kinoprene and methoprene or fenoxycarb orpyriproxyfen.

(8) Active compounds with unknown or nonspecific mechanisms of actionsuch as, for example, alkyl halides, e.g. methyl bromide and other alkylhalides; or chloropicrine or sulphuryl fluoride or borax or tartaremetic.

(9) Selective antifeedants, for example pymetrozine or flonicamid.

(10) Mite growth inhibitors, for example clofentezine, hexythiazox anddiflovidazin or etoxazole.

(11) Microbial disruptors of the insect gut membrane, for exampleBacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis, Bacillus sphaericus,Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies aizawai, Bacillus thuringiensissubspecies kurstaki, Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies tenebrionis, andBT plant proteins: Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1Fa, Cry2Ab, mCry3A, Cry3Ab,Cry3Bb, Cry34/35Ab1.

(12) Oxidative phosphorylation inhibitors, ATP disruptors such as, forexample, diafenthiuron or organotin compounds, for example azocyclotin,cyhexatin and fenbutatin oxide or propargite or tetradifon;

(13) Oxidative phosphorylation decouplers acting by interrupting the Hproton gradient such as, for example, chlorfenapyr, DNOC andsulfluramid.

(14) Nicotinergic acetylcholine receptor antagonists such as, forexample, bensultap, cartap hydrochloride, thiocylam, andthiosultap-sodium.

(15) Chitin biosynthesis inhibitors, type 0, such as, for example,bistrifluron, chlorfluazuron, diflubenzuron, flucycloxuron,flufenoxuron, hexaflumuron, lufenuron, novaluron, noviflumuron,teflubenzuron and triflumuron.

(16) Chitin biosynthesis inhibitors, type 1, for example buprofezin.

(17) Moulting inhibitors (in particular for Diptera, i.e. dipterans)such as, for example, cyromazine.

(18) Ecdysone receptor agonists such as, for example, chromafenozide,halofenozide, methoxyfenozide and tebufenozide.

(19) Octopaminergic agonists such as, for example, amitraz.

(20) Complex-III electron transport inhibitors such as, for example,hydramethylnone or acequinocyl or fluacrypyrim.

(21) Complex-I electron transport inhibitors, for example from the groupof the METI acaricides, e.g. fenazaquin, fenpyroximate, pyrimidifen,pyridaben, tebufenpyrad and tolfenpyrad or rotenone (Derris).

(22) Voltage-gated sodium channel blockers, for example indoxacarb ormetaflumizone.

(23) Inhibitors of acetyl-CoA carboxylase such as, for example, tetronicand tetramic acid derivatives, e.g. spirodiclofen, spiromesifen andspirotetramat.

(24) Complex-IV electron transport inhibitors such as, for example,phosphines, e.g. aluminium phosphide, calcium phosphide, phosphine andzinc phosphide or cyanide.

(25) Complex II electron transport inhibitors, such as, for example,cyenopyrafen and cyflumetofen.

(26) Ryanodine receptor effectors, such as, for example, diamides, e.g.chlorantraniliprole, cyantraniliprole and flubendiamide.

(27) Other active compounds such as, for example, afidopyropen,azadirachtin, benclothiaz, benzoximate, bifenazate, bromopropylate,chinomethionat, cryolite, dicofol, diflovidazin, fluensulfone,flometoquin, flufenerim, flufenoxystrobin, flufiprole, fluopyram,flupyradifurone, fufenozide, heptafluthrin, imidaclothiz, iprodione,meperfluthrin, paichongding, pyflubumide, pyrifluquinazon,pyriminostrobin, tetramethylfluthrin and iodomethane; furthermorepreparations based on Bacillus firmus (I-1582, BioNeem, Votivo), andalso the following compounds:3-bromo-N-{2-bromo-4-chloro-6-[(1-cyclopropylethyl)carbamoyl]phenyl}-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide(known from WO2005/077934) and1-{2-fluoro-4-methyl-5-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)sulphinyl]phenyl}-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5-amine(known from WO2006/043635),{1′-[(2E)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)prop-2-en-1-yl]-5-fluorospiro[indol-3,4′-piperidin]-1(2H)-yl}(2-chloropyridin-4-yl)methanone(known from WO2003/106457),2-chloro-N-[2-{1-[(2E)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)prop-2-en-1-yl]piperidin-4-yl}-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]isonicotinamide(known from WO2006/003494),3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-4-hydroxy-8-methoxy-1,8-diazaspiro[4.5]dec-3-en-2-one(known from WO2009/049851),3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-8-methoxy-2-oxo-1,8-diazaspiro[4.5]dec-3-en-4-yl-ethylcarbonate(known from WO2009/049851),4-(but-2-yn-1-yloxy)-6-(3,5-dimethylpiperidin-1-yl)-5-fluoropyrimidine(known from WO2004/099160),4-(but-2-yn-1-yloxy)-6-(3-chlorophenyl)pyrimidine (known fromWO2003/076415), PF1364 (CAS Reg. No. 1204776-60-2),4-[5-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-2-methyl-N-{2-oxo-2-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)amino]ethyl}benzamide(known from WO2005/085216),4-{5-[3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl}-N-{2-oxo-2-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)amino]ethyl}-1-naphthamide(known from WO2009/002809), methyl2-[2-({[3-bromo-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]carbonyl}amino)-5-chloro-3-methylbenzoyl]-2-methylhydrazinecarboxylate(known from WO2005/085216), methyl2-[2-({[3-bromo-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]carbonyl}amino)-5-cyano-3-methylbenzoyl]-2-ethylhydrazinecarboxylate(known from WO2005/085216), methyl2-[2-({[3-bromo-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]carbonyl}amino)-5-cyano-3-methylbenzoyl]-2-methylhydrazinecarboxylate(known from WO2005/085216), methyl2-[3,5-dibromo-2-({[3-bromo-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]carbonyl}amino)benzoyl]-2-ethylhydrazinecarboxylate(known from WO2005/085216),1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide(known from WO2010/069502),N-[2-(5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-chloro-6-methylphenyl]-3-bromo-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide(known from CN102057925),3-chloro-N-(2-cyanopropan-2-yl)-N-[4-(1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropan-2-yl)-2-methylphenyl]phthalamide(known from WO2012/034472),8-chloro-N-[(2-chloro-5-methoxyphenyl)sulphonyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-2-carboxamide(known from WO2010/129500),4-[5-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-2-methyl-N-(1-oxidothietan-3-yl)benzamide(known from WO2009/080250),N-[(2E)-1-[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl]pyridin-2(1H)-ylidene]-2,2,2-trifluoroacetamide(known from WO2012/029672),1-[(2-chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)methyl]-4-oxo-3-phenyl-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-1-ium-2-olate(known from WO2009/099929),1-[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl]-4-oxo-3-phenyl-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-1-ium-2-olate(known from WO2009/099929),(5S,8R)-1-[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl]-9-nitro-2,3,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-5,8-epoxyimidazo[1,2-a]azepine(known from WO2010/069266),(2E)-1-[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl]-N′-nitro-2-pentylidenehydrazinecarboximidamide(known from WO2010/060231),4-(3-{2,6-dichloro-4-[(3,3-dichloroprop-2-en-1-yl)oxy]phenoxy}propoxy)-2-methoxy-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidine(known from CN101337940),N-[2-(tert-butylcarbamoyl)-4-chloro-6-methylphenyl]-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-3-(fluoromethoxy)-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide(known from WO2008/134969).

In some cases, the seed treatment composition comprises one or morefungicides. Suitable fungicides include, but are not limited to:

(1) Inhibitors of ergosterol biosynthesis such as, for example,aldimorph, azaconazole, bitertanol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole,diclobutrazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, dodemorph,dodemorph acetate, epoxiconazole, etaconazole, fenarimol, fenbuconazole,fenhexamid, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, fluquinconazole, flurprimidol,flusilazole, flutriafole, furconazole, furconazole-cis, hexaconazole,imazalil, imazalil sulphate, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole,myclobutanil, naftifin, nuarimol, oxpoconazole, paclobutrazole,pefurazoate, penconazole, piperalin, prochloraz, propiconazole,prothioconazole, pyributicarb, pyrifenox, quinconazole, simeconazole,spiroxamine, tebuconazole, terbinafin, tetraconazole, triadimefon,triadimenol, tridemorph, triflumizole, triforine, triticonazole,uniconazole, uniconazole-P, viniconazole, voriconazole,1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)cycloheptanol, methyl1-(2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)-1H-imidazole-5-carboxylate,N′-{5-(difluoromethyl)-2-methyl-4-[3-(trimethylsilyl)propoxy]phenyl}-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide,N-ethyl-N-methyl-N′-{2-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4-[3-(trimethylsilyl)propoxy]phenyl}imidoformamide,O-[1-(4-methoxyphenoxy)-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-yl]-1H-imidazole-1-carbothioate,and pyrisoxazole.

(2) Respiration inhibitors (respiratory chain inhibitors) such as, forexample, bixafen, boscalid, carboxin, diflumetorim, fenfuram, fluopyram,flutolanil, fluxapyroxad, furametpyr, furmecyclox, isopyrazam mixture ofthe syn-epimeric racemate 1RS,4SR,9RS and the anti-empimeric racemate1RS,4SR,9SR, isopyrazam (anti-epimeric racemate), isopyrazam(anti-epimeric enantiomer 1R,4S,9S), isopyrazam (anti-epimericenantiomer 1S,4R,9R), isopyrazam (syn-epimeric racemate 1RS,4SR,9RS),isopyrazam (syn-epimeric enantiomer 1R,4S,9R), isopyrazam (syn-epimericenantiomer 1S,4R,9S), mepronil, oxycarboxin, penflufen, penthiopyrad,sedaxane, thifluzamide,1-methyl-N-[2-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)phenyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-N-[2-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoro-ethoxy)phenyl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-N-[4-fluoro-2-(1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropoxy)phenyl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-[1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxypropan-2-yl]-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,5,8-difluoro-N-[2-(2-fluoro-4-{[4-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]oxy}phenyl)ethyl]quinazoline-4-amine,benzovindiflupyr,N-[(1S,4R)-9-(dichloromethylene)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,4-methanonaphthalen-5-yl]-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamideandN-[(1R,4S)-9-(dichloromethylene)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,4-methanonaphthalen-5-yl]-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-N-(1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,1,3,5-trimethyl-N-(1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-N-(1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-N-[(3R)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-N-[(3S)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-N-[(3S)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-N-[(3R)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,1,3,5-trimethyl-N-[(3R)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,1,3,5-trimethyl-N-[(3S)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,benodanil,2-chloro-N-(1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)pyridine-3-carboxamide,isofetamid.

(3) Respiration inhibitors (respiratory chain inhibitors) acting oncomplex III of the respiratory chain such as, for example, ametoctradin,amisulbrom, azoxystrobin, cyazofamid, coumethoxystrobin, coumoxystrobin,dimoxystrobin, enestroburin, famoxadone, fenamidone, flufenoxystrobin,fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, metominostrobin, orysastrobin,picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, pyrametostrobin, pyraoxystrobin,pyribencarb, triclopyricarb, trifloxystrobin,(2E)-2-(2-{[6-(3-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-5-fluoropyrimidin-4-yl]oxy}phenyl)-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methylethanamide,(2E)-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methyl-2-(2-{[({(1E)-1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethylidene}amino)-oxy]methyl}phenyl)ethanamide,(2E)-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methyl-2-{2-[(E)-({1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethoxy}imino)methyl]phenyl}ethanamide,(2E)-2-{2-[({[(1E)-1-(3-{[(E)-1-fluoro-2-phenylethenyl]oxy}phenyl)ethylidene]-amino}oxy)methyl]phenyl}-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methylethanamide,(2E)-2-{2-[({[(2E,3E)-4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)but-3-en-2-ylidene]amino}oxy)methyl]-phenyl}-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methylethanamide,2-chloro-N-(1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)pyridine-3-carboxamide,5-methoxy-2-methyl-4-(2-{[({(1E)-1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethylidene}amino)oxy]methyl}phenyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one,methyl(2E)-2-{2-[({cyclopropyl[(4-methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl}sulphanyl)methyl]phenyl}-3-methoxyprop-2-enoate,N-(3-ethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl)-3-(formylamino)-2-hydroxybenzamide,2-{2-[(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)methyl]phenyl}-2-methoxy-N-methylacetamide.

(4) Inhibitors of mitosis and cell division such as, for example,benomyl, carbendazim, chlorfenazole, diethofencarb, ethaboxam,fluopicolid, fuberidazole, pencycuron, thiabendazole,thiophanate-methyl, thiophanate, zoxamide,5-chloro-7-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidineand3-chloro-5-(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)pyridazine.

(5) Compounds having multisite activity such as, for example, Bordeauxmixture, captafol, captan, chlorothalonil, copper preparations such ascopper hydroxide, copper naphthenate, copper oxide, copper oxychloride,copper sulphate, dichlofluanid, dithianon, dodine, dodine free base,ferbam, fluorfolpet, folpet, guazatine, guazatine acetate, iminoctadine,iminoctadine albesilate, iminoctadine triacetate, mancopper, mancozeb,maneb, metiram, zinc metiram, copper-oxine, propamidine, propineb,sulphur and sulphur preparations such as, for example calciumpolysulphide, thiram, tolylfluanid, zineb, ziram and anilazine.

(6) Resistance inducers such as, for example, acibenzolar-S-methyl,isotianil, probenazole, tiadinil and laminarin.

(7) Inhibitors of amino acid and protein biosynthesis such as, forexample, blasticidin-S, cyprodinil, kasugamycin, kasugamycinhydrochloride hydrate, mepanipyrim, pyrimethanil,3-(5-fluoro-3,3,4,4-tetramethyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1-yl)quinolone,oxytetracycline and streptomycin.

(8) ATP production inhibitors such as, for example, fentin acetate,fentin chloride, fentin hydroxide and silthiofam.

(9) Inhibitors of cell wall synthesis such as, for example,benthiavalicarb, dimethomorph, flumorph, iprovalicarb, mandipropamid,polyoxins, polyoxorim, validamycin A, valifenalate and polyoxin B.

(10) Inhibitors of lipid and membrane synthesis such as, for example,biphenyl, chlorneb, dicloran, edifenphos, etridiazole, iodocarb,iprobenfos, isoprothiolane, propamocarb, propamocarb hydrochloride,prothiocarb, pyrazophos, quintozene, tecnazene and tolclofos-methyl.

(11) Melanin biosynthesis inhibitors, for example carpropamid,diclocymet, fenoxanil, fthalide, pyroquilon, tricyclazole and2,2,2-trifluoroethyl{3-methyl-1-[(4-methylbenzoyl)amino]butan-2-yl}carbamate.

(12) Inhibitors of nucleic acid synthesis such as, for example,benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M (kiralaxyl), bupirimate, clozylacon,dimethirimol, ethirimol, furalaxyl, hymexazole, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M(mefenoxam), ofurace, oxadixyl, oxolinic acid and octhilinone.

(13) Signal transduction inhibitors such as, for example, chlozolinate,fenpiclonil, fludioxonil, iprodione, procymidone, quinoxyfen,vinclozolin and proquinazid.

(14) Decouplers such as, for example, binapacryl, dinocap, ferimzone,fluazinam and meptyldinocap.

(15) Further compounds such as, for example, benthiazole, bethoxazine,capsimycin, carvone, chinomethionat, pyriofenone (chlazafenone),cufraneb, cyflufenamid, cymoxanil, cyprosulfamide, dazomet, debacarb,dichlorophen, diclomezine, difenzoquat, difenzoquat methylsulphate,diphenylamine, EcoMate, fenpyrazamine, flumetover, fluorimid,flusulfamide, flutianil, fosetyl-aluminium, fosetyl-calcium,fosetyl-sodium, hexachlorobenzene, irumamycin, methasulfocarb, methylisothiocyanate, metrafenone, mildiomycin, natamycin, nickeldimethyldithiocarbamate, nitrothal-isopropyl, octhilinone, oxamocarb,oxyfenthiin, pentachlorophenol and its salts, phenothrin, phosphoricacid and its salts, propamocarb-fosetylate, propanosine-sodium,pyrimorph,(2E)-3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-3-(2-chloropyridin-4-yl)-1-(morpholin-4-yl)prop-2-en-1-one,(2Z)-3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-3-(2-chloropyridin-4-yl)-1-(morpholin-4-yl)prop-2-en-1-one,pyrrolnitrin, tebufloquin, tecloftalam, tolnifanide, triazoxide,trichlamide, zarilamid,(3S,6S,7R,8R)-8-benzyl-3-[({3-[(isobutyryloxy)methoxy]-4-methoxypyridin-2-yl}carbonyl)amino]-6-methyl-4,9-dioxo-1,5-dioxonan-7-yl2-methylpropanoate,1-(4-{4-[(5R)-5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)-2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]ethanone,1-(4-{4-[(5S)-5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)-2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]ethanone,1-(4-{4-[5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)-2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]ethanone,1-(4-methoxyphenoxy)-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-yl 1H-imidazole-1-carboxylate,2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-4-(methylsulphonyl)pyridine,2,3-dibutyl-6-chlorothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one,2,6-dimethyl-1H,5H-[1,4]dithiino[2,3-c:5,6-c′]dipyrrole-1,3,5,7(2H,6H)-tetrone,2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-1-(4-{4-[(5R)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)ethanone,2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-1-(4-{4-[(5S)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)ethanone,2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-1-{4-[4-(5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl)-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]piperidin-1-yl}ethanone,2-butoxy-6-iodo-3-propyl-4H-chromen-4-one,2-chloro-5-[2-chloro-1-(2,6-difluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl]pyridine,2-phenylphenol and salts,3-(4,4,5-trifluoro-3,3-dimethyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1-yl)quinoline,3,4,5-trichloropyridine-2,6-dicarbonitrile,3-chloro-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-6-methylpyridazine,4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-3,6-dimethylpyridazine,5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol,5-chloro-N′-phenyl-N′-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)thiophene-2-sulphonohydrazide,5-fluoro-2-[(4-fluoro-benzyl)oxy]pyrimidine-4-amine,5-fluoro-2-[(4-methylbenzyl)oxy]pyrimidine-4-amine,5-methyl-6-octyl[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-amine, ethyl(2Z)-3-amino-2-cyano-3-phenylacrylate,N′-(4-{[3-(4-chlorobenzyl)-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl]oxy}-2,5-dimethylphenyl)-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide,N-(4-chlorobenzyl)-3-[3-methoxy-4-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)phenyl]propanamide,N-[(4-chlorophenyl)(cyano)methyl]-3-[3-methoxy-4-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)phenyl]-propanamide,N-[(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)methyl]-2,4-dichloronicotinamide,N-[1-(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-2,4-dichloronicotinamide,N-[1-(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-2-fluoro-4-iodonicotinamide,N—{(E)-[(cyclopropylmethoxy)imino][6-(difluoromethoxy)-2,3-difluorophenyl]methyl}-2-phenylacetamide,N—{(Z)-[(cyclopropyl-methoxy)imino][6-(difluoromethoxy)-2,3-difluorophenyl]methyl}-2-phenylacetamide,N′-{4-[(3-tert-butyl-4-cyano-1,2-thiazol-5-yl)oxy]-2-chloro-5-methylphenyl}-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide,N-methyl-2-(1-{[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetyl}piperidin-4-yl)-N-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl)-1,3-thiazole-4-carboxamide,N-methyl-2-(1-{[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetyl}piperidin-4-yl)-N-[(1R)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl]-1,3-thiazole-4-carboxamide,N-methyl-2-(1-{[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetyl}piperidin-4-yl)-N-[(1S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl]-1,3-thiazole-4-carboxamide, pentyl{6-[({[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylene]amino}oxy)-methyl]pyridin-2-yl}carbamate,phenazine-1-carboxylic acid, quinolin-8-ol, quinolin-8-ol sulphate(2:1), tert-butyl{6-[({[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylene]-amino}oxy)methyl]pyridin-2-yl}carbamate,1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-N-[2′-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-(4′-chlorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-(2′,4′-dichlorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-N-[4′-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-(2′,5′-difluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-N-[4′-(prop-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-N-[4′-(prop-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,2-chloro-N-[4′-(prop-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]nicotinamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-N-[4′-(3,3-dimethylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-[4′-(3,3-dimethylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-N-(4′-ethynylbiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-(4′-ethynylbiphenyl-2-yl)-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,2-chloro-N-(4′-ethynylbiphenyl-2-yl)nicotinamide,2-chloro-N-[4′-(3,3-dimethylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]nicotinamide,4-(difluoromethyl)-2-methyl-N-[4′-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,5-fluoro-N-[4′-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,2-chloro-N-[4′-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]nicotinamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-N-[4′-(3-methoxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,5-fluoro-N-[4′-(3-methoxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,2-chloro-N-[4′-(3-methoxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]nicotinamide,(5-bromo-2-methoxy-4-methylpyridin-3-yl)(2,3,4-trimethoxy-6-methylphenyl)methanone,N-[2-(4-{[3-(4-chlorophenyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl]oxy}-3-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-N2-(methyl-sulphonyl)valinamide,4-oxo-4-[(2-phenylethyl)amino]butanoic acid, but-3-yn-1-yl{6-[({[(Z)-(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylene]amino}oxy)methyl]-pyridin-2-yl}carbamate,4-amino-5-fluoropyrimidin-2-ol (tautomeric form:4-amino-5-fluoropyrimidin-2(1H)-one), propyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate,1,3-dimethyl-N-(1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,1,3-dimethyl-N-[(3R)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,1,3-dimethyl-N-[(3S)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,[3-(4-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-5-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1,2-oxazol-4-yl](pyridin-3-yl)methanol,(S)-[3-(4-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-5-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1,2-oxazol-4-yl](pyridin-3-yl)methanol,(R)-[3-(4-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-5-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1,2-oxazol-4-yl](pyridin-3-yl)methanol,2-{[3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)oxiran-2-yl]methyl}-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione,1-{[3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)oxiran-2-yl]methyl}-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylthiocyanate,5-(allylsulfanyl)-1-{[3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)oxiran-2-yl]methyl}-1H-1,2,4-triazole,2-[1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylheptan-4-yl]-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione,2-{[rel(2R,3S)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)oxiran-2-yl]methyl}-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione,2-{[rel(2R,3R)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)oxiran-2-yl]methyl}-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione,1-{[rel(2R,3S)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)oxiran-2-yl]methyl}-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylthiocyanate,1-{[rel(2R,3R)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)oxiran-2-yl]methyl}-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylthiocyanate, 5-(allylsulphanyl)-1-{[rel(2R,3S)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)oxiran-2-yl]methyl}-1H-1,2,4-triazole,5-(allylsulphanyl)-1-{[rel(2R,3R)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)oxiran-2-yl]methyl}-1H-1,2,4-triazole,2-[(2S,4S,5S)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylheptan-4-yl]-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione,2-[(2R,4S,5S)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylheptan-4-yl]-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione,2-[(2R,4R,5R)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylheptan-4-yl]-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione,2-[(2S,4R,5R)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylheptan-4-yl]-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione,2-[(2S,4S,5R)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylheptan-4-yl]-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione,2-[(2R,4S,5R)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylheptan-4-yl]-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione,2-[(2R,4R,5S)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylheptan-4-yl]-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione,2-[(2S,4R,5S)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylheptan-4-yl]-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione,2-fluoro-6-(trifluoromethyl)-N-(1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)benzamide,2-(6-benzylpyridin-2-yl)quinazoline,2-[6-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methylpyridin-2-yl]quinazoline,3-(4,4-difluoro-3,3-dimethyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1-yl)quinoline,abscisic acid,3-(difluoromethyl)-N-methoxy-1-methyl-N-[1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)propan-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N′-[5-bromo-6-(2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yloxy)-2-methylpyridin-3-yl]-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide,N′-{5-bromo-6-[1-(3,5-difluorophenyl)-ethoxy]-2-methylpyridin-3-yl}-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide,N′-{5-bromo-6-[(1R)-1-(3,5-difluorophenyl)ethoxy]-2-methylpyridin-3-yl}-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide,N′-{5-bromo-6-[(1S)-1-(3,5-difluorophenyl)ethoxy]-2-methylpyridin-3-yl}-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide,N′-{5-bromo-6-[(cis-4-isopropylcyclohexyl)oxy]-2-methylpyridin-3-yl}-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide,N′-{5-bromo-6-[(trans-4-isopropylcyclohexyl)oxy]-2-methylpyridin-3-yl}-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide,N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-N-(2-isopropylbenzyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-cyclopropyl-N-(2-cyclopropylbenzyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-(2-tert-butylbenzyl)-N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoro-methyl)-5-fluoro-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-(5-chloro-2-ethylbenzyl)-N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-(5-chloro-2-isopropylbenzyl)-N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-N-(2-ethyl-5-fluorobenzyl)-5-fluoro-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-N-(5-fluoro-2-isopropylbenzyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-cyclopropyl-N-(2-cyclopropyl-5-fluorobenzyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-(2-cyclopentyl-5-fluorobenzyl)-N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-N-(2-fluoro-6-isopropylbenzyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-N-(2-ethyl-5-methylbenzyl)-5-fluoro-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-N-(2-isopropyl-5-methylbenzyl)-1-methyl-IH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-cyclopropyl-N-(2-cyclopropyl-5-methylbenzyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-(2-tert-butyl-5-methylbenzyl)-N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-[5-chloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-1-methyl-N-[5-methyl-2-(trifluoro-methyl)benzyl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-[2-chloro-6-(trifluoro-methyl)benzyl]-N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-[3-chloro-2-fluoro-6-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-N-(2-ethyl-4,5-dimethylbenzyl)-5-fluoro1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-N-(2-isopropylbenzyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-carbothioamide,3-(difluoro-methyl)-N-(7-fluoro-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-H-inden-4-yl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-N-[(3R)-7-fluoro-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,3-(difluoro-methyl)-N-[(3S)-7-fluoro-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N′-(2,5-dimethyl-4-phenoxyphenyl)-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide,N′-{4-[(4,5-dichloro-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)oxy]-2,5-dimethylphenyl}-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide,N-(4-chloro-2,6-difluorophenyl)-4-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-5-amine.

Particularly suitable seed treatment active ingredients that may beutilized in the treatment composition include acetamiprid, clothianidinimidacloprid, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, abamectin, emamectin,emamectin-benzoate, rynaxypyr (chloroantraniliprole), cyazypyr(cyntraniliprole), spinetoram, spinosad, sulfoxaflor,lambda-cyhalothrin, beta-cyfluthrin, tefluthrin, flupyradifurone,tetraniliprole, Bacillus firmus CNCM I 1582, Bacillus subtilis QST 713,Bacillus subtilis AQ30002, prothioconazole, metalaxyl, mefenoxam,benalaxyl, kiralaxyl, trifloxystrobin, azoxystrobin, picoxystrobin,pyraclostrobin, fluopyram, thiram, tebuconazole, fludioxonil, andipconazole.

In some embodiments, the insecticide, fungicide, nematicide, and/orother pesticides is present in the treatment compositions of the presentinvention in an amount of at least 15%, such as at least 20%, such as atleast 25%, such as at least 30% and/or no more than 80%, such as no morethan 75%, such as no more than 60%, such as no more than 50%.

In some embodiments, the seed treatment compositions used in the methodsof the present invention may further include any of a variety ofadditives such as defoamers, devolatilizers, thickeners, flow controladditives, colorants (including pigments and dyes), surfactants,dispersants, neutralizers, biological materials (such as inoculants),nutrients, micronutrients, or surface additives. Inert materials mayalso be included such as, for example, to improve handling or packagingand may include, for example, silica, starches, clays and otherminerals.

For example, in some embodiments, the seed treatment compositionsinclude an inorganic lubricant, such as, for example, talc, mica,graphite, a carbide, a carbonate, an oxide of carbon, a cyanide, anallotrope of carbon, or a mixture of two or more thereof.

When used, such inorganic lubricant(s) are often present in the seedtreatment composition in an amount of at least 0.5%, such as at least1%, such as at least 1.5% and/or no more than 10%, such as no more than8%, such as no more than 5%.

In some embodiments, in addition to or in lieu of an inorganiclubricant, the seed treatment composition used in the methods of thepresent invention may comprise an organic lubricant. Examples of suchorganic lubricants include, but are not limited to a wax, such as,polyethylene, powdered polyethylene, carnuba, paraffin, polypropylene,an oxidized polyethylene wax, montan waxes, microcrystalline waxes,Fischer-Tropsch waxes, amide waxes, Ethylene-Acrylic-Acid (EAA) waxes,polyolefin waxes, Ethylene bis stearamide (EBS) waxes, animal waxes(bees wax and lanolin), vegetable waxes (carnauba and candelilla), orslac and scale waxes, polytetrafluoroethylene, including mixtures of twoor more thereof. In some embodiments, the wax comprises polyethylenewax, such as MICHEM Wax 437 from Michelman, Inc. As a result,embodiments of the present invention are also directed to seed treatmentcompositions comprising, consisting essentially of, or, in some cases,consisting of: (A) an aqueous polyurethane dispersion; (B) aninsecticide, a fungicide, a nematicide, and/or other pesticides; and (C)a polyethylene wax.

In some embodiments of the methods of the present invention, the seedtreatment composition is applied to a seed and then the seed issubsequently coated with a lubricant compound.

As indicated, in the methods of the present invention the seed treatmentcomposition is applied to a seed. In certain embodiments, a seedtreatment composition as described herein is applied to a seed at thesame time or before the planter fills the planter hopper with seed. Inother embodiments, a seed treatment composition as described herein isapplied to a seed as a farmer fills the planter hopper with seed. Insome embodiments, the hopper forms a component part of a planter, suchas an air or vacuum planter, with a planter mechanism, examples of whichare commercially available from, for example, John Deere, Case IH,Kinze, AGCO White, Great Plains, or Precision Planting.

In certain embodiments, a seed treatment composition as described hereinis applied to a seed at a rate of 0.1-5.0 oz/cwt (ounces/hundredweight),0.5-4.0 oz/cwt, 1.0-3.5 oz/cwt, 1.5-3.0 oz/cwt, 2.0-3.0 oz/cwt, 2.0-2.5oz/cwt, or 0.2 oz/cwt, 0.5 oz/cwt, 0.75 oz/cwt, 1.0 oz/cwt, 1.5 oz/cwt,2.0 oz/cwt, 2.5 oz/cwt, 3.0 oz/cwt, 3.5 oz/cwt, 4.0 oz/cwt, 4.5 oz/cwt,5.0 oz/cwt, or 0.2 oz/cwt or more, 0.5 oz/cwt or more, 0.75 oz/cwt ormore, 1.0 oz/cwt or more, 1.5 oz/cwt or more, 2.0 oz/cwt or more, 2.5oz/cwt or more, 3.0 oz/cwt or more, 3.5 oz/cwt or more, 4.0 oz/cwt ormore, 4.5 oz/cwt or more, or 5.0 oz/cwt or more.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a seed treatmentcomposition described herein is applied to a seed in a singleapplication step. In other respects, a seed treatment compositiondescribed herein is applied in multiple application steps. In yetanother embodiment, a seed treatment composition described herein isapplied in one, two, three or more application steps to a seed.

Seeds which can be treated with the seed treatment composition describedherein include, for example, any agricultural or vegetable seeds thatare planted through, for example, a vacuum planter. Examples of suchseeds include, but are not limited to, corn seed, sorghum seed, oatseed, rye seed, barley seed, soybean seed, vegetable seed, wheat seed,sugarbeat seed, rice, sunflower seed, lettuce seed, and spinach seed.Specific examples of corn seeds capable of being treated with thetreatment compositions described herein include, for example, sweet corn(for example, zea mays convar. saccharata var. Rugosa), silver queencorn, golden bantam, early sunglow, Indian corn, sugar corn, pole corn,field corn, dent corn, flint corn, flour corn, blue corn (for example,Zea mays amylacea), pop corn, and waxy corn. In some embodiments, theseed is not cotton seed, such as fuzzy cotton seed. In some embodimentsthe seed is acid delinted cotton seed but not mechanically delintedcotton seed.

Seeds may be treated with the described compositions by applying thedisclosed compositions directly to the seed. In another embodiment, theseed may be treated indirectly, for example by treating the environmentor habitat to which the seed is exposed.

Conventional treatment methods may be used to treat the environment orhabitat including dipping, spraying, rolling, fumigating, chemigating,fogging, scattering, brushing on, shanking or injecting.

Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to a kitcomprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of any of the seedtreatment compositions disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the kitprovides instructions or guidance regarding the use of the seedtreatment compositions or methods described herein. In some embodiments,the instructions are included with the kit, separate from the kit, inthe kit, or are included on the kit packaging. In yet another aspect,the instructions provide for application of a seed treatment compositionat planting.

As will be appreciated by the foregoing description, embodiments of thepresent invention are directed to methods for treating a seed,comprising applying to the seed a seed treatment composition comprising,consisting essentially of, or, in some cases, consisting of: (A) anaqueous polyester-polyurethane dispersion; and (B) an insecticide, afungicide, a nematicide, and/or other pesticides, wherein (1) theaqueous polyurethane dispersion forms a film exhibiting: (a) amicrohardness of 4 to 34 N/mm²; (b) a T_(g) of −79° C. to −4° C., (c) apercent elongation of 44 to 300, and (d) a tensile strength of 2500lb/in² (17.2 MPa) to 5600 lb/in² (38.6 MPa), and (2) the seed comprisescorn seed, sorghum seed, oat seed, rye seed, barley seed, soybean seed,vegetable seed, wheat seed, sugarbeat seed, rice, sunflower seed,lettuce seed, and/or spinach seed.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of theprevious paragraph, wherein (a) the microhardness is up to 15 N/mm²,such as 0.4 to 15 N/mm², (b) the T_(g) is −48° C. to −30° C., and/or (c)the percent elongation is 10 to 300.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of eitherof the previous two paragraphs, wherein the aqueous polyurethanedispersion of the seed treatment composition comprises one or morepolyurethanes that are the reaction product of reactants comprising,consisting essentially of, or, in some cases, consisting of: (i) apolyisocyanate; (ii) a polyester polyol having a M_(n) of 400 to 8,000g/mol; (iii) a compound comprising at least one isocyanate-reactivegroup and an anionic group or potentially anionic group; (iv) optionallya mono functional polyalkylene ether; (v) optionally a polyol having amolecular weight of less than <400 g/mol, and (vi) optionally apolyamine or amino alcohol having a molecular weight of from 32 to 400g/mol.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of theprevious paragraph, wherein the polyisocyanate (i) of the seed treatmentcomposition comprises an aromatic, araliphatic, aliphatic and/orcycloaliphatic polyisocyanate, such as 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate(HDI), pentamethylene diisocyanate (PDI), isophorone diisocyanate(IPDI), the isomeric bis-(4,4′-isocyanatocyclohexyl)methanes or amixture thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of eitherof the previous two paragraphs, wherein component (i) of the seedtreatment composition is included in an amount of at least 5% by weight,such as at least 10 or at least 20% by weight and/or no more than 60% byweight, such as no more than 50 or, in some cases, no more than 45% byweight, based on the total weight of reactants used to make thepolyurethane.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any ofthe previous three paragraphs, wherein the polyester polyol of the seedtreatment composition has a M_(n) of from 400 to 6000 g/mol, 500 to 3000g/mol, 1000 to 3000 g/mol or 1500 to 3000 g/mol.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any ofthe previous four paragraphs, wherein the polyester polyol of the seedtreatment composition has a hydroxyl number of from 20 to 400 mg KOH/gof substance, such as 20 to 300 mg KOH/g of substance, 20 to 200 mgKOH/gram of substance or 20 to 100 mg KOH/g of substance.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any ofthe previous five paragraphs, wherein the polyester polyol of the seedtreatment composition has a hydroxyl functionality of 1.5 to 6, such as1.8 to 3 or 1.9 to 2.1.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any ofthe previous six paragraphs, wherein the polyester polyol of the seedtreatment composition comprises, consists essentially of, or, in somecases, consists of a reaction product of butanediol and/or neopentylglycol and/or hexanediol and/or ethylene glycol and/or diethylene glycolwith adipic acid and/or phthalic acid and/or isophthalic acid, such aspolyester polyols that are a reaction product of butanediol and/orneopentyl glycol and/or hexanediol with adipic acid and/or phthalicacid.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of eitherof the previous paragraphs, wherein the polyester polyol of the seedtreatment composition has a hydroxyl functionality of 1.5 to 6.0, suchas 1.8 to 3.0, a hydroxyl number of 20 to 700 mg KOH/g solid, such as 20to 100, 20 to 80 or, in some cases 40 to 80 mg KOH/g solid, and/or aM_(n) of 500 to 3000 g/mol, such as 600 to 2500 g/mol.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any ofthe previous eight paragraphs, wherein component (ii) of the seedtreatment composition is included in an amount of at least 20% byweight, such as at least 30 or at least 40% by weight and/or no morethan 80% by weight, such as no more than 70% by weight, based on thetotal weight of reactants used to make the polyurethane.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any ofthe previous nine paragraphs, wherein component (iii) of the seedtreatment composition is a compound comprising carboxylate, sulfonate,and/or phosphonate groups or groups which can be converted into theabove-mentioned groups by salt formation.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of theprevious paragraph wherein the compound (iii) of the seed treatmentcomposition comprises, consists essentially of, or, in some cases,consists of, a mono- and di-hydroxycarboxylic acid, a mono- anddi-aminocarboxylic acid, a mono- and di-hydroxysulfonic acid, a mono-and di-aminosulfonic acid, a mono- and di-hydroxyphosphonic acid and/ora mono- and di-aminophosphonic acids or a salt thereof, such asdimethylolpropionic acid, dimethylolbutyric acid, hydroxypivalic acid,N-(2-aminoethyl)-β-alanine, 2-(2-amino-ethylamino)-ethanesulfonic acid,ethylene-diamine-propyl- or -butyl-sulfonic acid, 1,2- or1,3-propylenediamine-3-ethylsulfonic acid, malic acid, citric acid,glycolic acid, lactic acid.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any ofthe previous eleven paragraphs, wherein component (iii) of the seedtreatment composition is included in an amount of at least 0.1% byweight, such as at least 1, or at least 3% by weight and/or no more than10% by weight, such as no more than 7% by weight, based on the totalweight of reactants used to make the polyurethane.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any ofthe previous twelve paragraphs, wherein component (iv) of the seedtreatment composition is included and comprises a compound of theformula: H—Y′—X—Y—R, in which R is a monovalent hydrocarbon radicalhaving 1 to 12 carbon atoms, such as an unsubstituted alkyl radicalhaving 1 to 4 carbon atoms; X is a polyalkylene oxide chain having 5 to90, such as 20 to 70 chain members, which may comprise at least 40%,such as at least 65%, ethylene oxide units and which in addition toethylene oxide units may comprise propylene oxide, butylene oxide and/orstyrene oxide units; and Y and Y′ are each independently oxygen or —NR′—in which R′ is H or R, in which R is defined above.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of theprevious paragraph, wherein component (iv) of the seed treatmentcomposition contains 7 to 55 ethylene oxide units per molecule.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of eitherof the previous two paragraphs, wherein component (iv) of the seedtreatment composition comprises, consists essentially of, or, in somecases, consists of, a copolymer of ethylene oxide with propylene oxidethat contains ethylene oxide in an amount of at least 40% by weight,such as at least 50% by weight, at least 60% by weight or at least 65%by weight and/or up to 90% by weight or up to 80% by weight, based onthe total weight of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any ofthe previous three paragraphs, wherein the M_(n) of such a copolymer is300 g/mol to 6000 g/mol, such as 500 g/mol to 4000 g/mol, such as 1000g/mol to 3000 g/mol.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any ofthe previous four paragraphs, wherein component (iv) of the seedtreatment composition is included in an amount of at least 1% by weight,such as at least 5, or at least 10% by weight and/or no more than 30% byweight, such as no more than 20% by weight, based on the total weight ofreactants used to make the polyurethane.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any ofthe previous sixteen paragraphs, wherein component (v) of the seedtreatment composition is included and, in some embodiments, is includedin an amount of at least 1% by weight, such as at least 2, or at least3% by weight and/or no more than 20% by weight, such as no more than 10or no more than 5% by weight, based on the total weight of reactantsused to make the polyurethane.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any ofthe previous seventeen paragraphs, wherein component (vi) of the seedtreatment composition is included and comprises, consists essentiallyof, or, in some cases, consists of, a di- or poly-amine, a hydrazide, anaminoalcohol, or a mixture thereof and, in some embodiments, component(6) of the seed treatment composition is included in an amount of atleast 1% by weight, such as at least 3 or at least 5% by weight and/orno more than 10% by weight, such as no more than 8 or, in some cases, nomore than 7% by weight, based on the total weight of reactants used tomake the polyurethane.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any ofthe previous eighteen paragraphs, wherein the sum of components (i)-(vi)of the seed treatment composition is 100 percent by weight, based on thetotal weight of the reactants used to make the polyurethane.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any ofthe previous nineteen paragraphs, wherein the seed treatment compositioncomprises a blend of: (A) an anionic aliphatic polyester-polyurethanedispersion that is a reaction product of components (i), (ii), (iii),(v), and (vi) described above and/or (B) which is different from (A) isan aliphatic, polyester-based, anionic polyurethane dispersion and is areaction product of components (i), (ii), (iii), (v), and (vi) describedabove and/or (C) an anionic/non-ionic polyester polyurethane dispersedin water and is a reaction product of components (i), (ii), (iii), (iv),and (vi) described above. In certain embodiments, the weight ratio ofthe aqueous polyurethane dispersions in the blend in the seed treatmentcompositions of the present invention is (A+B)/(C) is greater than 1:1,such as greater than 2:1, at least 3:1, or at least 4:1.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any ofthe previous twenty-five paragraphs, wherein the aqueous polyurethanedispersion is present in the seed treatment composition in an amountsuch that the total amount of polyurethane that is present in thetreatment composition is at least 1%, such as at least 2%, or in somecases at least 4% and/or no more than 20%, such as no more than 15% andin some cases, no more than 10%.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any ofthe previous twenty-six paragraphs, wherein the insecticide, fungicide,nematicide, and/or other pesticide comprises acetamiprid, clothianidinimidacloprid, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, abamectin, emamectin,emamectin-benzoate, rynaxypyr (chloroantraniliprole), cyazypyr(cyntraniliprole), spinetoram, spinosad, sulfoxaflor,lambda-cyhalothrin, beta-cyfluthrin, tefluthrin, flupyradifurone,tetraniliprole, Bacillus firmus CNCM I 1582, Bacillus subtilis QST 713,Bacillus subtilis AQ30002, prothioconazole, metalaxyl, mefenoxam,benalaxyl, kiralaxyl, trifloxystrobin, azoxystrobin, picoxystrobin,pyraclostrobin, fluopyram, thiram, tebuconazole, fludioxonil, andipconazole.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a seed treatmentcomposition of any of the previous twenty-eight paragraphs, wherein theinsecticide, fungicide, nematicide, and/or pesticide is present in theseed treatment compositions of the present invention in an amount of atleast 15%, such as at least 20%, such as at least 25%, such as at least30% and/or no more than 80%, such as no more than 75%, such as no morethan 60%, such as no more than 50%.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any ofthe previous twenty-eight paragraphs, wherein the seed treatmentcomposition comprises an inorganic lubricant and/or an organiclubricant, such as a wax, such as a polyethylene wax.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any ofthe previous twenty nine paragraphs, comprising applying the seedtreatment composition to a seed at the same time or before the planterfills the planter hopper with seed or as a farmer fills the planterhopper with seed.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of theprevious paragraphs, wherein the hopper forms a component part of aplanter, such as an air or vacuum planter, with a planter mechanism.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of eitherof the previous two paragraphs, wherein the seed treatment compositionis applied to a seed at a rate of 0.1-5.0 oz/cwt (ounces/hundredweight),0.5-4.0 oz/cwt, 1.0-3.5 oz/cwt, 1.5-3.0 oz/cwt, 2.0-3.0 oz/cwt, 2.0-2.5oz/cwt, or 0.2 oz/cwt, 0.5 oz/cwt, 0.75 oz/cwt, 1.0 oz/cwt, 1.5 oz/cwt,2.0 oz/cwt, 2.5 oz/cwt, 3.0 oz/cwt, 3.5 oz/cwt, 4.0 oz/cwt, 4.5 oz/cwt,5.0 oz/cwt, or 0.2 oz/cwt or more, 0.5 oz/cwt or more, 0.75 oz/cwt ormore, 1.0 oz/cwt or more, 1.5 oz/cwt or more, 2.0 oz/cwt or more, 2.5oz/cwt or more, 3.0 oz/cwt or more, 3.5 oz/cwt or more, 4.0 oz/cwt ormore, 4.5 oz/cwt or more, or 5.0 oz/cwt or more.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any ofthe previous three paragraphs wherein the seed treatment composition isapplied to a seed in a single application step or in multipleapplication steps, such as one, two, three or more application steps.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to seeds treated by amethod of any of the previous four paragraphs, wherein the seedcomprises corn seed comprising sweet corn (for example, zea mays convar.saccharata var. Rugosa), silver queen corn, golden bantam, earlysunglow, Indian corn, sugar corn, pole corn, field corn, dent corn,flint corn, flour corn, blue corn (for example, Zea mays amylacea),popcorn, and waxy corn. Embodiments of the present invention are alsodirected to a seed treated by any of the previous four paragraphs,wherein the seed is not a cotton seed, such as a fuzzy cotton seed.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a kit comprisinginstructions or guidance regarding the use of any of the methodsdescribed herein.

EXAMPLES Example 1

Seed treatment compositions were prepared using the ingredients andamounts (in milliliters) listed in Table 1. In each case, the listedingredients were added to a suitable container and then mixed using aglass rod stirrer until a homogeneous mixture was obtained.

TABLE 1 Example Ingredient 1A 1B 1C 1D 1E 1F Active ingredient mixture¹27.91 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92 Water 21.77 25.89 21.99 19.99 19.9919.15 Commercial polymeric seed coating² 22.18 — — — — — Seed coatingblank³ — 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 IMPRANIL DLU⁴ — — 3.90 — — —IMPRANIL DLN⁵ — — — 5.90 — — IMPRANIL DL 2611⁶ — — — — 5.90 — BAYBOND PU406⁷ — — — — — 6.74 Example Ingredient 1G 1H 1I 1J 1K 1L Activeingredient mixture¹ 27.91 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.91 Water 21.4121.68 17.24 21.94 20.01 20.01 Seed coating blank³ 17.17 17.17 17.1717.17 17.17 17.17 IMPRANIL DL 2611⁶ — — — — 5.90 5.90 DISPERCOLL U XP2699⁸ 4.48 — — — — — DISPERCOLL C 84⁹ — 4.21 — — — — BAYBOND PU 330¹⁰ —— 8.65 — — — IMPRANIL XP 1537¹¹ — — — 3.95 — — ¹A liquid mixture ofVORTEX fungicide, TRILEX fungicide, PONCHO/VOTIVO insecticide, and reddye, Bayer CropScience LLP. ²PERIDIAM PRECISE SEED FINISHER 1006, BayerCropScience LLP, which is a multifunctional seed coating that is achemical mixture composed of a dispersion of a binder comprisingcarboxylated styrene-butadiene polymer in water, along with otheringredients, such as suspending agents, surfactants, emulsifiers,dispersants, pigments, antimicrobial preservatives, and wax powder.³Same composition as Commercial polymeric seed coating but without thepresence of the carboxylated styrene-butadiene polymer binder. ⁴Ananionic aliphatic polyether/polycarbonate polyurethane dispersion inwater, 60% by weight non-volatile content, Covestro LLC. ⁵An anionicaliphatic polyester-polyurethane dispersion in water, 40% by weightnon-volatile content, Covestro LLC, which was used as a comparativeexample-See U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2014/0274685 A1. ⁶Ananionic aliphatic polyester-polyurethane dispersion in water, 40% byweight non-volatile content, Covestro LLC. ⁷A non-ionic polyurethanepolymer dispersed in water, 34.5% by weight non-volatile content,Covestro LLC. ⁸An aqueous polyurethane dispersion, 55% by weight polymercontent, Covestro LLC. ⁹An aqueous dispersion ofpoly-2-chlorobutadiene-1,3, 55% by weight polymer content, Covestro LLC.¹⁰An anionic/non-ionic polyester polyurethane resin dispersed in water,30% by weight non-volatile content, Covestro LLC. ¹¹An anionic polyesterpolyurethane resin dispersed in water, 60% by weight non-volatilecontent, Covestro LLC.

Treatment of Corn Seeds

For each of the compositions of Examples 1A-1J, 3.31 pounds (1.5 kg) ofcorn was placed into a laboratory seed treater bowl equipped with a footpedal to spin the bowl. While the bowl was spinning, 15.7 mL of the seedtreatment composition was added to the treater using a 25 mL plasticsyringe. Once the seed treatment composition was added and thoroughlymixed with the corn for about 30 to 60 seconds, the corn was dischargedfrom the treater. Seed treatments for each composition were done twicefor each type of corn (Seed A and Seed B) to obtain 6.62 pounds (3.0 kg)of treated corn seeds. “Seed A” refers to hybrid dent corn seed of 1564seeds per pound with a size of 25\20 F (flat). “Seed B” refers to hybriddent corn seed of 1729 seeds per pound with a size of 20\16 R (round).

Each of the Examples 1E, 1K, and 1L had the same composition, but theseed treatment process differed. The seed treatment process for Example1E was as described above.

In the case of Example 1K, 3.31 pounds (1.5 kg) of corn was placed intoa laboratory seed treater bowl equipped with a foot pedal to spin thetreater bowl. A mixture of the water and IMPRANIL DL 2611 dispersion waspre-made, while the other seed treatment components (the activeingredient mixture and seed coating blank) were combined separately.While the bowl was spinning, 9.9 mL of active ingredient mixture andseed coating blank combination was first added to the treater containingthe spinning corn seed. Then, 5.7 mL of the water and IMPRANIL DL 2611dispersion combination was added to the corn seed under spinning using a25 mL plastic syringe. The treated corn seed was thoroughly mixed forabout 30 to 60 seconds, and the corn was discharged from the treater.Seed treatments were done twice for each type of corn (Seed A and SeedB) to obtain 6.62 pounds (3.0 kg) of treated corn seeds.

In the case of Example 1L, 3.31 pounds (1.5 kg) of corn was placed intoa laboratory seed treater bowl equipped with a foot pedal to spin thetreater bowl. A mixture of the seed coating blank and IMPRANIL DL 2611dispersion was pre-made, while the other seed treatment components (theactive ingredient mixture and water) were combined separately. While thebowl was spinning, 10.6 mL of active ingredient/water mixture was firstadded to the treater containing the spinning corn seed. Then, 5.1 mL ofthe seed coating blank/IMPRANIL DL 2611 dispersion combination was addedto the corn seed under spinning using a 25 mL plastic syringe. Thetreated corn seed was thoroughly mixed for about 30 to 60 seconds, andthe corn was discharged from the treater. Seed treatments were donetwice for each type of corn (Seed A and Seed B) to obtain 6.62 pounds(3.0 kg) of treated corn seeds.

The treated corn seed was tested for wet and dry flowability, dust, andplantability. Wet flowability was determined by passing 6.62 pounds (3.0kg) of freshly treated corn seed through a test funnel having a 1⅝ inchdiameter orifice. Flowability was determined as the time (in seconds)that it took for all of the corn to pass through the funnel. Recordedresults are the average of three measurements. Dry flowability wasdetermined in the same manner as wet flowability except that the testwas conducted 24 hours after the seed treatment was completed. Dust(reported as grams of dust per 100 grams of corn seed) was measuredusing a Heubach Dustmeter (Type I) according to German Industry StandardDIN 55 992, Part I. Percent singulation was determined with a METERMAXUltra Test Stand from Precision Planting LLC having a John DeereMAXEMERGE Vacuum Meter attached. Three runs of 1000 seeds each wereconducted and the recorded results reflect the average of the threeruns. The test stand parameters were set to simulate the planting of35,000 seeds per acre (4046 m²) at a speed of 5 miles (8.05 km) per hourwith 30 inch (76.2 cm) rows. Results are set forth in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Wet Flow Dry Flow Dust Percent Singulation Example Seed A Seed BSeed A Seed B Seed A Seed B Seed A Seed B 1A 15.37 15.62 12.32 12.320.0005 0.0002 99.2 99.5 1B 16.43 16.18 13.21 13.04 0.0032 0.0022 97.899.2 1C 17.51 16.60 13.68 13.17 0.0005 0.0005 96.2 98.7 1D 16.87 15.9412.70 12.70 0.0003 0.0004 95.1 98.8 1E 16.49 15.67 12.17 12.17 0.00070.0006 99.0 99.7 1F 16.86 16.29 13.13 12.65 0.0010 0.0008 98.3 99.5 1G17.10 16.27 13.85 13.31 0.0013 0.0008 88.4 98.1 1H 17.49 16.30 13.6912.98 0.0006 0.0004 93.5 98.8 1I 17.18 16.14 13.42 12.72 0.0004 0.000278.2 96.4 1J 15.74 15.57 12.79 12.32 0.0006 0.0006 97.7 99.6 1K 15.1714.48 12.54 11.80 0.0007 0.0004 98.7 99.7 1L 14.90 14.79 12.21 11.920.0005 0.0005 99.1 99.8

Example 2

Seed treatment compositions were prepared using the ingredients andamounts (in milliliters) listed in Table 3. In each case, the listedingredients were added to a suitable container and then mixed using aglass rod stirrer until a homogeneous mixture was obtained.

TABLE 3 Example Ingredient 2A 2B 2C 2D 2E Active ingredient mixture¹27.91 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92 Water 21.77 25.89 19.99 20.01 20.01Commercial polymeric 22.18 — — — — seed coating² Seed coating blank³ —17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 BAYHYDROL UH — — 5.90 5.90 5.90 XP 2719¹² ¹²Analiphatic, polyester-based, anionic polyurethane dispersion in water,40% by weight non-volatile content, Covestro LLC.

Treatment of Corn Seeds

For each of the compositions of Examples 2A-2C, corn seeds were treatedin the manner described above for Examples 1A-1J.

In the case of Example 2D, 3.31 pounds (1.5 kg) of corn was placed intoa laboratory seed trater bowl equipped with a foot pedal to spin thetreater bowl. A mixture of the water and BAYHYDROL UH XP 2719 dispersionwas pre-made, while the other seed treatment components (the activeingredient mixture and seed coating blank) were combined separately.While the bowl was spinning, 9.9 mL of the active ingredient/seedcoating blank mixture was first added to the treater containing thespinning corn seed. Then, 5.7 mL of the water/BAYHYDROL UH XP 2719dispersion combination was added to the corn seed under spinning using a25 mL plastic syringe. The treated corn seed was mixed thoroughly forabout 30 to 60 seconds, and the corn was discharged from the treater.Seed treatments were done twice for each type of corn (Seed A and SeedB) to obtain 6.62 pounds (3.0 kg) of treated corn seeds.

In the case of Example 2E, 3.31 pounds (1.5 kilogram) of corn was placedinto a laboratory seed treater bowl equipped with a foot pedal to spinthe treater bowl. A mixture of the seed coating blank and BAYHYDROL UHXP 2719 dispersion was pre-made, while the other seed treatmentcomponents (the water and the active ingredient mixture) were combinedseparately. While the bowl was spinning, 10.6 mL of the activeingredient mixture/water combination was first added to the treatercontaining the spinning corn seed. Then, 5.1 mL of the seed coatingblank/BAYHYDROL UH XP 2719 dispersion combination was added to the cornseed under spinning using a 25 mL plastic syringe. The treated corn seedwas mixed thoroughly for about 30 to 60 seconds, and the corn wasdischarged from the treater. Seed treatments were done twice for eachtype of corn (Seed A and Seed B) to obtain 6.62 pounds (3.0 kg) oftreated corn seeds. “Seed A” and “Seed B” were as described in Example1.

The treated corn seed was tested for wet flowability, dry flowability,dust, and plantability as described above in Example 1. Results are setforth in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Wet Flow Dry Flow Dust Percent Singulation Example Seed A Seed BSeed A Seed B Seed A Seed B Seed A Seed B 2A 15.25 15.42 12.66 12.440.0004 0.0002 98.9 99.7 2B 16.07 16.15 13.69 13.41 0.0024 0.0018 97.299.2 2C 15.64 15.28 12.91 12.40 0.0009 0.0008 98.8 99.9 2D 15.19 15.2612.66 12.72 0.0011 0.0010 98.7 99.7 2E 14.44 14.31 12.43 12.28 0.00090.0006 99.3 99.7

Example 3

Seed treatment compositions were prepared using the ingredients andamounts (in milliliters) listed in Table 5 using the procedure describedabove in Example 1.

TABLE 5 Example Ingredient 3A 3B 3C 3D 3E 3F 3G Active ingredientmixture¹ 27.91 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92 Water 21.77 25.8921.01 21.19 21.19 20.66 21.45 Commercial polymeric seed coating² 22.18 —— — — — — Seed coating blank³ — 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17STYROFAN NX 6690 X¹³ — — 4.88 — — — — IMPRANIL LP DSB 1069¹⁴ — — — 4.70— — — DISPERCOLL U 54¹⁵ — — — — 4.70 — — DISPERCOLL U 8755¹⁶ — — — — —5.23 — IMPRANIL DL 2611⁶ — — — — — — 4.44 Example Ingredient 3H 3I 3J 3K3L 3M 3N Active ingredient mixture¹ 27.93 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.9227.92 Water 19.10 17.55 18.04 19.41 21.45 18.53 18.53 Seed coatingblank³ 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 BAYBOND PU 330¹⁰ 2.883.02 6.21 6.48 — — — BAYHYDROL UH XP 2719¹² 1.95 5.32 — — 4.44 7.36 2.13IMPRANIL DL 2611⁶ 1.95 — 1.64 — — — 5.23 Example Ingredient 3O 3P 3Q 3R3S 3T 3U Active ingredient mixture¹ 27.92 27.91 27.92 27.93 27.93 27.9227.91 Water 18.53 18.53 15.95 19.10 21.45 20.83 17.64 Seed coatingblank³ 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 BAYBOND PU 330¹⁰ — —8.12 2.88 — 1.95 2.71 BAYHYDROL UH XP 2719¹² — 5.37 1.82 1.95 1.15 3.11— IMPRANIL DL 2611⁶ 7.36 2.00 — 1.95 3.28 — 5.55 Example Ingredient 3V3W 3X 3Y 3Z 3AA 3BB Active ingredient mixture¹ 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.9227.93 27.91 27.91 Water 21.45 20.83 20.43 15.07 18.08 19.10 16.00 Seedcoating blank³ 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 BAYBOND PU330¹⁰ — 1.95 3.24 10.82 6.03 2.88 7.90 BAYHYDROL UH XP 2719¹² 3.11 —1.11 — 1.77 1.95 — IMPRANIL DL 2611⁶ 1.33 3.11 1.11 — — 1.95 2.00¹³Carboxylated styrene/butadiene dispersion in water, 52-53% by weightsolids content, BASF Corporation. 14An anionic, aliphatic,polyether-polyurethane dispersion in water, 50% by weight non-volatilecontent, Covestro LLC. ¹⁵An aqueous anionic dispersion of apolyurethane, 50% by weight non-volatile content, Covestro LLC. ¹⁶Anaqueous anionic dispersion of a polyurethane, 45% by weight non-volatilecontent, Covestro LLC.

Treatment of Corn Seeds

For each of the compositions of Examples 3A-3BB, corn seeds were treatedin the manner described above for Examples 1A-1J. “Seed A” and “Seed B”were as described in Example 1. The treated corn seed was tested for wetflowability, dry flowability, dust, and plantability as described abovein Example 1. Results are set forth in Table 6.

TABLE 6 Wet Flow Dry Flow Dust Percent Singulation Example Seed A Seed BSeed A Seed B Seed A Seed B Seed A Seed B 3A 15.56 15.46 13.36 12.800.0004 0.0002 98.7 99.7 3B 16.55 15.76 14.15 13.25 0.0024 0.0014 97.999.2 3C 15.52 15.36 12.72 12.77 0.0003 0.0002 99.4 99.7 3D 16.70 16.0214.22 13.44 0.0003 0.0002 95.6 99.1 3E 17.01 16.10 14.14 13.14 0.00110.0005 96.8 99.7 3F 17.27 15.35 14.37 13.08 0.0007 0.0006 97.5 99.4 3G16.31 14.81 13.57 12.54 0.0005 0.0005 98.8 99.7 3H 17.04 15.54 14.2013.07 0.0004 0.0003 98.5 99.6 3I 16.38 15.67 13.85 13.02 0.0009 0.000698.1 99.7 3J 17.40 16.01 14.31 12.97 0.0001 0.0002 97.0 99.4 3K 17.3916.01 14.42 13.35 0.0003 0.0001 95.1 99.4 3L 16.73 15.37 14.05 13.370.0030 0.0019 97.4 99.3 3M 17.00 15.83 14.26 13.61 0.0038 0.0023 98.199.2 3N 16.48 15.45 13.77 12.80 0.0004 0.0006 98.7 99.8 3O 16.54 15.0113.32 12.53 0.0005 0.0004 98.8 99.7 3P 16.95 15.73 14.06 13.38 0.00150.0016 98.0 99.7 3Q 17.69 15.27 14.45 12.93 0.0003 0.0001 88.5 98.3 3R16.46 15.57 13.63 12.72 0.0002 0.0002 98.5 99.7 3S 16.35 15.14 13.5612.78 0.0006 0.0006 98.6 99.6 3T 17.17 15.53 14.05 13.16 0.0014 0.001197.5 99.3 3U 16.95 15.10 13.30 12.57 0.0001 0.0006 98.7 99.8 3V 17.0515.59 14.12 13.12 0.0016 0.0008 97.5 99.8 3W 16.84 15.64 13.37 12.990.0004 0.0004 98.4 99.9 3X 17.15 16.03 13.91 13.19 0.0004 0.0003 97.799.8 3Y 18.78 16.36 14.44 13.45 0.0001 0.0001 71.7 94.2 3Z 17.18 16.3314.05 13.12 0.0005 0.0001 94.3 99.4 3AA 16.27 16.05 13.45 13.28 0.00060.0002 98.2 99.6 3BB 16.78 16.40 13.76 13.26 0.0002 0.0002 90.9 98.5

Example 4

Seed treatment compositions were prepared using the ingredients andamounts (in milliliters) listed in Table 7 using the procedure describedabove in Example 1.

TABLE 7 Example Ingredient 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E 4F 4G Active ingredientmixture¹ 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92 Water 20.88 25.8919.99 22.92 20.39 19.59 22.74 Commercial polymeric seed coating² 22.18 —— — — — — Seed coating blank³ — 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17Polyethylene Wax¹⁷ BAYBOND PU 330¹⁰ — — — — — 1.29 0.67 IMPRANIL DL2611⁶ — — 5.90 2.97 2.97 5.01 2.48 Example Ingredient 4H 4I 4J 4K 4L 4M4N Active ingredient mixture¹ 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92Water 20.21 18.70 22.30 19.77 18.84 22.34 19.81 Seed coating blank³17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 Polyethylene Wax¹⁷ 2.53 — —2.53 — — 2.53 BAYBOND PU 330¹⁰ 0.67 4.26 2.13 2.13 3.81 1.91 1.91BAYHYDROL UH XP 2719¹² — — — — 0.58 0.31 0.31 IMPRANIL DL 2611⁶ 2.482.93 1.46 1.46 2.66 1.33 1.33 ¹⁷MICHEM Wax 437, Michelman, Inc.

Treatment of Corn Seeds

For each of the compositions of Examples 4A-4N, corn seeds were treatedin the manner described above for Examples 1A-1J. “Seed A” and “Seed B”were as described in Example 1. “Seed C” refers to hybrid dent corn seedof 2034 seeds per pound with a size of 20\16 F (flat). The treated cornseed was tested for wet flowability, dry flowability, dust, andplantability as described above in Example 1. Results are set forth inTable 8.

TABLE 8 Wet Flow Dry Flow Example Seed A Seed B Seed C Seed A Seed BSeed C 4A 16.09 16.13 15.74 13.44 13.18 13.17 4B 16.52 17.02 16.63 13.8614.10 14.46 4C 16.13 16.20 15.60 13.26 13.27 13.28 4D 16.79 16.66 16.3913.74 13.62 13.70 4E 16.66 16.78 16.51 13.97 14.09 14.06 4F 16.45 16.5216.56 13.69 13.58 13.54 4G 16.94 16.55 17.02 13.92 13.59 13.99 4H 16.7316.65 16.85 14.06 13.84 14.37 4I 16.93 17.07 17.01 13.73 13.73 13.74 4J16.91 16.87 16.75 14.01 13.81 14.03 4K 16.93 16.95 17.25 14.04 13.7514.28 4L 17.67 17.07 17.70 14.10 13.72 14.13 4M 17.29 17.11 16.87 14.1213.82 14.08 4N 17.09 16.67 17.22 14.33 13.84 14.12 Dust PercentSingulation Example Seed A Seed B Seed C Seed A Seed B Seed C 4A 0.00040.0003 0.0008 98.7 99.2 96.9 4B 0.0024 0.0020 0.0056 97.6 97.4 91.7 4C0.0005 0.0005 0.0017 98.9 98.2 96.9 4D 0.0008 0.0007 0.0029 98.3 98.895.7 4E 0.0008 0.0009 0.0027 98.8 98.5 95.9 4F 0.0010 0.0004 0.0013 98.898.8 96.4 4G 0.0010 0.0007 0.0021 98.4 98.8 95.1 4H 0.0008 0.0008 0.002098.1 98.4 94.1 4I 0.0007 0.0004 0.0009 98.0 98.1 94.5 4J 0.0009 0.00060.0018 97.4 98.6 94.1 4K 0.0007 0.0011 0.0016 98.3 98.4 94.8 4L 0.00040.0004 0.0010 97.8 97.9 92.7 4M 0.0012 0.0010 0.0020 97.3 97.7 94.0 4N0.0009 0.0012 0.0021 98.0 98.4 94.7

Example 5

Films were produced from various polymeric dispersions using theingredients and amounts (percent by weight based on resin solids) listedin Table 9. For evaluation of microhardness and glass transitiontemperature, a test sample was prepared by applying 8 mils (203 μm) wetfilm thickness of the formulation onto a 3″×6″ glass panel. Theformulation was left to dry for 24 hours after application.Microhardness (Marten's hardness) measurements were done usingFischerscope H100C instrument with the method described in DIN 14577.Microhardness readings were taken under a 30 mN test load run to amaximum of 5 μm indentation depth over a 20 second application time.Results reported are an average of three readings for each formulation.Glass transition temperature (T_(g)) was evaluated using Differentialscanning calorimetry (DSC) conducted with Perkin Elmer DSC7 using aliquid nitrogen bath. The samples were evaluated from −100° C. to 100°C., cooled, and reheated using a 20° C./minute ramp rate. For evaluationof tensile strength and percent elongation, samples were prepared byapplying 10 mils (254 m) wet film thickness of the formulation onto a6″×12″ glass panel. The formulation was left to dry for 24 hours afterapplication. The panel was then soaked in warm water to peel it from theglass substrate. Once peeled, the film was dried with a paper towel.Using a die cutter, dog-bone samples were cut and tensile strength andpercent elongation were measured using an INSTRON 4444 apparatus at agrip distance of 2.5″ at a crosshead speed of 20 inch/minute. Resultsreported for percent elongation and tensile strength are an average ofthree readings for each formulation. Results are set forth in Table 9.

TABLE 9 Example Ingredient 5A 5B 5C 5D 5E 5F 5G STYROFAN NX 6690 X¹³ 100 — — — — — — IMPRANIL DLU⁴ —  100 — — — — — IMPRANIL DLN⁵ — —  100 —— — — IMPRANIL DL 2611⁶ — — —  100 — — — BAYBOND PU 406⁷ — — — —  100 —— DISPERCOLL U XP 2699⁸ — — — — —  100 — DISPERCOLL C 84⁹ — — — — — — 100 Test Results Fischer Microhardness (N/mm²)    2.3    1.1    0.6   12.3    2.2    1.4    2.2 Glass Transition Temperature (° C.)  11 −65    −47    −31    −64    −58    −45   Percent Elongation  301  700 700  225  275  800  800 Tensile Strength (lb/in²(kg/cm²)) 1082 36002900 5048 1200 1500 2900  (76)  (253)  (204)  (355)  (84)  (105)  (204)Example Ingredient 5H 5I 5J 5K 5L 5M 5N IMPRANIL DL 2611⁶ — — — — — — 33 BAYBOND PU 330¹⁰ 100 — — — — —  33 IMPRANIL XP 1537¹¹ —  100 — — — —— BAYHYDROL UH XP 2719¹² — —  100 — — —  33 IMPRANIL LP DSB 1069¹⁴ — — — 100 — — — DISPERCOLL U 54¹⁵ — — — —  100 — — DISPERCOLL U 8755¹⁶ — — —— —  100 — Test Results Fischer Microhardness (N/mm²)    0.4    0.7   45.4    0.8    11.9    11.1    8.6 Glass Transition Temperature (°C.)  −48     −4    −46    −79    −49    −53    −47   Percent Elongation700  650  44  800  820  570  318 Tensile Strength (lb/in²(kg/cm²)) 1302175 2471 2900 5600 3400 1335  (9)  (153)  (174)  (204)  (394)  (239) (94) Example Ingredient 5O 5P 5Q 5R 5S 5T 5U IMPRANIL DL 2611⁶ —  28 72  27 —  74 — BAYBOND PU 330¹⁰  28  72 — — 75 —  30 BAYHYDROL UH XP2719¹²  72 —  28  73 25  26  70 Test Results Fischer Microhardness(N/mm²)    20.1    0.7    19.9    34.8 2.0    19.5    19.2 GlassTransition Temperature (° C.)  −46    −47    −35    −46   −47  −38   −46   Percent Elongation  300 255  155  236 NA*  230  323 TensileStrength (lb/in²(kg/cm²)) 2452 377 3547 4175 NA* 4575 2959  (172)  (27) (249)  (294)  (322)  (208) Example Ingredient 5V 5W 5X 5Y 5Z 5AA 5BBIMPRANIL DL 2611⁶  75  30  70  25 — 27  85 BAYBOND PU 330¹⁰  25 —  30 50  70 73  15 BAYHYDROL UH XP 2719¹² —  70 —  25  30 — — Test ResultsFischer Microhardness (N/mm²)    4.5    34.4    3.5    4.7    3.3 0.8   8.2 Glass Transition Temperature (° C.)  −45    −42    −46    −46   −46   −47  −49   Percent Elongation  262  210  300  373 471 NA*  273Tensile Strength (lb/in²(kg/cm²)) 3156 4688 3036 2382 942 NA* 3074 (222)  (330)  (213)  (167)  (66)  (216) Example Ingredient 5CC 5DDIMPRANIL DL 2611⁶ 50 45 BAYBOND PU 330¹⁰ 50 45 BAYHYDROL UH XP 2719¹² —10 Test Results Fischer Microhardness   2.5   3.7 (N/mm²) GlassTransition Temperature (° C.) −55   −55   Percent Elongation 383  364 Tensile Strength (lb/in²(kg/cm²)) 927  1176  (65) (83) *A filmsufficient for percent elongation and tensile strength evaluation wasnot produced.

Example 6

The data from Examples 1-4 was analyzed using multivariable regressionanalysis using JMP 11.1 software (SAS Institute, Cary, N.C.). Each modelwas built with the resin loading and the treatment (PUD or blend ofPUD's) as main effects, with blocking on Example number and seed type(only type A and type B were used). Because of the nature of the data,the following transformations of the responses were used: (i) log of thedust and (ii) logit of singulation. No transformation was used for theflow data. Using the estimated parameters from the model, a predictedresponse was generated for each treatment at a loading of 17 g resin per100 pounds of corn. Results are set forth in Table 10.

TABLE 10 Example Ingredient 6A 6B 6C 6D 6E 6F 6G STYROFAN NX 6690 X¹³100 — — — — — — Blank — — — — — — — IMPRANIL DLU⁴ — — 100 — — — —IMPRANIL DLN⁵ — — — 100 — — — IMPRANIL DL 2611⁶ — — — — 100 — — BAYBONDPU 406⁷ — — — — — 100 — DISPERCOLL U XP 2699⁸ — — — — — — 100 TestResults Wet Flow (seconds) 15.55 16.48 17.31 16.64 15.6 16.82 16.96 DryFlow (seconds) 12.75 13.34 13.92 13.22 12.7 13.39 14.05 Dust .00029 .001.00035 .00029 .00045 .00064 .00067 Percent singulation 99.43 98.18 97.9097.76 99.45 99.18 95.16 Example Ingredient 6H 6I 6J 6K 6L 6M 6NDISPERCOLL C 84⁹ 100 — — — — — — BAYBOND PU 330¹⁰ — 100 — — — — —IMPRANIL XP 1537¹¹ — — 100 — — — — BAYHYDROL UH XP — — — 100 — — —2719¹² IMPRANIL LP DSB 1069¹⁴ — — — — 100 — — DISPERCOLL U 54¹⁵ — — — —— 100 — DISPERCOLL U 8755¹⁶ — — — — — — 100 Test Results Wet Flow(seconds) 17.14 16.98 15.89 15.80 16.25 16.45 16.20 Dry Flow (seconds)13.85 13.59 13.07 13.18 13.50 13.31 13.39 Dust .00038 .00015 .00045.00171 .00026 .00073 .00064 Percent singulation 97.45 94.26 99.17 99.1698.15 99.01 98.80 Example Ingredient 6O 6P 6Q 6R 6S 6T 6U IMPRANIL DL2611⁶ 33 — 28 72 27 — 74 BAYBOND PU 330¹⁰ 33 28 72 — — 75 — BAYHYDROL UHXP 33 72 — 28 73 25 26 2719¹² Test Results Wet Flow (seconds) 16.0515.88 16.60 15.82 16.20 16.33 15.67 Dry Flow (seconds) 13.06 13.16 13.3113.02 13.45 13.42 12.78 Dust .00028 .00088 .00012 .00058 .00177 .00025.00048 Percent singulation 99.29 99.33 98.76 99.54 99.38 96.19 99.17Example Ingredient 6V 6W 6X 6Y 6Z 6AA 6BB IMPRANIL DL 2611⁶ — 75 30 7025 — 27 BAYBOND PU 330¹⁰ 30 25 — 30 50 70 73 BAYHYDROL UH XP 70 — 70 —25 30 — 2719¹² Test Results Wet Flow (seconds) 16.28 15.88 16.25 16.1716.51 16.65 16.44 Dry Flow (seconds) 13.21 12.67 13.22 12.79 13.16 13.2613.24 Dust .00097 .00029 .00090 .00032 .00028 .00022 .00024 Percentsingulation 98.55 99.54 99.17 99.57 99.27 98.23 96.84 Example Ingredient6CC 6DD 6EE IMPRANIL DL 2611⁶ 85 50 45 BAYBOND PU 330¹⁰ 15 50 45BAYHYDROL UH XP 2719¹² — — 10 Test Results Wet Flow (seconds) 15.9616.29 16.63 Dry Flow (seconds) 13.04 13.16 13.28 Dust .00052 .00046.00052 Percent singulation 99.08 99.00 99.10

As a result of the foregoing, it is currently believed that seedtreatment compositions comprising: (A) an aqueous polyurethanedispersion; and (B) an insecticide, a fungicide, a nematicide, and/orother pesticides, wherein the aqueous polyurethane dispersion forms afilm exhibiting: (a) a microhardness of 4 to 34 N/mm²; (b) a T_(g) of−79° C. to −4° C., (c) a percent elongation of 44 to 300, and (d) atensile strength of 2500 lb/in² (17.2 MPa) to 5600 lb/in² (38.6 MPa),when applying to a seed comprising corn seed, sorghum seed, oat seed,rye seed, barley seed, soybean seed, vegetable seed, wheat seed,sugarbeat seed, rice, sunflower seed, lettuce seed, and/or spinach seedissues, can exhibit dust emission, percent singulation and flowproperties during planting, particularly vacuum planting, that arecomparable the results obtained when using a seed treatment compositionin which a polyolefin binder is used at the same loading. An advantageof the seed treatment compositions described herein, however, is thatthey disintegrable by moisture in the soil due to the significantpresence of a polyester.

This specification has been written with reference to variousnon-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments. However, it will berecognized by persons having ordinary skill in the art that varioussubstitutions, modifications, or combinations of any of the disclosedembodiments (or portions thereof) may be made within the scope of thisspecification. Thus, it is contemplated and understood that thisspecification supports additional embodiments not expressly set forthherein. Such embodiments may be obtained, for example, by combining,modifying, or reorganizing any of the disclosed steps, components,elements, features, aspects, characteristics, limitations, and the like,of the various non-limiting embodiments described in this specification.In this manner, Applicant(s) reserve the right to amend the claimsduring prosecution to add features as variously described in thisspecification, and such amendments comply with the requirements of 35U.S.C. §112, first paragraph, and 35 U.S.C. §132(a).

1: A method for treating a seed, comprising applying to the seed anaqueous seed treatment composition comprising: (A) an aqueouspolyester-polyurethane dispersion; and (B) one or more insecticides,fungicides, nematicides and/or other pesticides, wherein (1) the aqueouspolyurethane dispersion forms a film exhibiting: (a) a microhardness of4 to 34 N/mm²; (b) a T_(g) of −79° C. to −4° C., (c) a percentelongation of 44 to 300, and (d) a tensile strength of 2500 lb/in² (17.2MPa) to 5600 lb/in² (38.6 MPa), and (2) the seed comprises one selectedfrom the group consisting of corn seed, sorghum seed, oat seed, ryeseed, barley seed, soybean seed, vegetable seed, wheat seed, sugarbeatseed, rice, sunflower seed, lettuce seed, and spinach seed. 2: Themethod of claim 1, wherein: (a) the microhardness is 4 to 25 N/mm², (b)the T_(g) is −48° C. to −30° C., and/or (c) the percent elongation is 10to
 300. 3: The method of claim 1, wherein the aqueous polyurethanedispersion comprises one or more polyurethanes that are the reactionproduct of reactants comprising: (i) a polyisocyanate; (ii) a polyesterpolyol having a number average molecular weight of 400 to 8,000 g/mol;(iii) a compound comprising at least one isocyanate-reactive group andan anionic group or potentially anionic group; (iv) optionally a monofunctional polyalkylene ether; (v) optionally a polyol having amolecular weight of less than <400 g/mol; and (vi) optionally, apolyamine or amino alcohol having a molecular weight of from 32 to 400g/mol. 4: The method of claim 3, wherein the polyester polyol is areaction product of butanediol and/or neopentyl glycol and/or hexanediolwith adipic acid and/or phthalic acid. 5: The method of claim 3, whereinthe aqueous composition comprises: (A) an anionic aliphaticpolyester-polyurethane that is a reaction product of components (i),(ii), (iii), (v), and (vi), and (B) optionally an anionic aliphaticpolyester-polyurethane, different from (A), that is a reaction productof components (i), (ii), (iii), (v), and (vi). 6: The method of claim 5,wherein the aqueous composition further comprises (C) ananionic/non-ionic polyester polyurethane that is different from (A) and(B) and is a reaction product of components (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), and(vi). 7: The method of claim 6, wherein the weight ratio of (A), (B) and(C) in the composition is such that (A+B)/(C) is greater than
 1. 8: Amethod of claim 1, wherein the aqueous composition further comprises apolyethylene wax. 9: The method of claim 1, wherein the seed comprises acorn seed selected from the group consisting of sweet corn, silver queencorn, golden bantam, early sunglow, Indian corn, sugar corn, pole corn,field corn, dent corn, flint corn, flour corn, blue corn, popcorn andwaxy corn.
 10. (canceled) 11: A seed treated according to the method ofclaim
 1. 12: The seed of claim 11, wherein the seed comprises corn seed.13: The seed of claim 12, wherein the corn seed is selected from thegroup consisting of sweet corn, silver queen corn, golden bantam, earlysunglow, Indian corn, sugar corn, pole corn, field corn, dent corn,flint corn, flour corn, blue corn, popcorn and waxy corn. 14: The methodof claim 2, wherein the aqueous polyurethane dispersion comprises one ormore polyurethanes that are the reaction product of reactantscomprising: (i) a polyisocyanate; (ii) a polyester polyol having anumber average molecular weight of 400 to 8,000 g/mol; (iii) a compoundcomprising at least one isocyanate-reactive group and an anionic groupor potentially anionic group; (iv) optionally a mono functionalpolyalkylene ether; (v) optionally a polyol having a molecular weight ofless than <400 g/mol, and (vi) optionally, a polyamine or amino alcoholhaving a molecular weight of from 32 to 400 g/mol. 15: The method ofclaim 14, wherein the polyester polyol is a reaction product ofbutanediol and/or neopentyl glycol and/or hexanediol with adipic acidand/or phthalic acid. 16: The method of claim 14, wherein the aqueouscomposition comprises: (A) an anionic aliphatic polyester-polyurethanethat is a reaction product of components (i), (ii), (iii), (v), and(vi), and (B) optionally an anionic aliphatic polyester-polyurethane,different from (A), that is a reaction product of components (i), (ii),(iii), (v), and (vi). 17: The method of claim 16, wherein the aqueouscomposition further comprises (C) an anionic/non-ionic polyesterpolyurethane that is different from (A) and (B) and is a reactionproduct of components (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), and (vi). 18: The methodof claim 17, wherein the weight ratio of (A), (B) and (C) in the aqueouscomposition is such that (A+B)/(C) is greater than
 1. 19: The method ofclaim 14, wherein the seed comprises a corn seed selected from the groupconsisting of sweet corn, silver queen corn, golden bantam, earlysunglow, Indian corn, sugar corn, pole corn, field corn, dent corn,flint corn, flour corn, blue corn, popcorn and waxy corn. 20: A seedtreated according to the method of claim
 2. 21: The seed of claim 20,wherein the seed comprises a corn seed selected from the groupconsisting of sweet corn, silver queen corn, golden bantam, earlysunglow, Indian corn, sugar corn, pole corn, field corn, dent corn,flint corn, flour corn, blue corn, popcorn and waxy corn.